Understanding ELSTER in Germany & how to get started
If you live in Germany long enough, you’ll eventually need an intro how to use ELSTER.
It’s the official online portal used to communicate with the Finanzamt (German tax office), and it’s where most tax declarations now happen.
This guide explains:
- What ELSTER is and who uses it
- How it helps with tax returns
- How to register step by step from scratch
- How to actually use ELSTER to file a tax return
By the end, you’ll know exactly what ELSTER is good for, and where it isn’t meant to help you.
If you have any questions, feel free to use the comments section. I answer each question personally.
TL;DR: ELSTER English guide in Germany
We try to be comprehensive as a knowledge base, here are the main points. Feel free to skip the sections relevant to you.
- What it is: ELSTER (Elektronische Steuererklärung) is the official online portal for submitting tax forms to the Finanzamt. It’s free, secure, and mandatory for many filings. While the interface is available in English, the forms themselves are all in German.
- Who uses it: Employees, students, retirees, married couples, freelancers, and business owners. Everyone eventually interacts with it.
- What it does: Lets you submit income tax, claim deductions, file a return alone or as a couple, VAT, profit calculations for self-employed and communicate digitally with the tax office. Provides pre-filled data but no guidance.
- Creating an account is simple but it takes time: we explain the steps below here in this section of the guide.
- Filing taxes with ELSTER possible but can be tedious: ELSTER is official and free but provides no tips or guides to explain forms and deductions, etc. It’s worth investing in paid tools to maximize returns save time, & ensure accuracy. We make safe recommendations in this section of the guide.
What is ELSTER?
ELSTER stands for Elektronische Steuererklärung (electronic tax declaration).
In plain English:
- It’s the official online tax portal of the German tax authorities
- It lets you submit tax returns and other tax forms online
- It replaces most paper-based communication with the Finanzamt
- It’s free and run directly by the state
You access it via Mein ELSTER, your personal online tax account.
ELSTER is not:
- ELSTER is not a tax advisor
- It does not provide tips, explanations, or guidance
- It assumes you already know what you need to declare. It just provides the official forms and a secure channel
What can you do with ELSTER?
ELSTER is more than just an income tax tool. Through your account, you can:
- Submit income tax returns (Einkommensteuererklärung)
- Self-employed people can also: File VAT returns, and trade tax declarations (Gewerbesteuer), profit calculations (EÜR).
- Communicate directly with your Finanzamt
- Access pre-filled tax data and certificates your employer or authorities have sent
Think of ELSTER as your digital mailbox and form drawer for German taxes: it stores documents, lets you send them securely, and ensures the Finanzamt gets everything it expects.
ELSTER for private individuals
If you’re employed, a student, or receiving a pension, ELSTER is often where your annual income tax return ends up, whether you file because you must or because you want money back.
Many newcomers use ELSTER voluntarily to reclaim overpaid taxes. It’s also the easiest way to submit declarations for additional income, like rent, investments, or side freelancing.
One of ELSTER’s most helpful features is the pre-filled tax return (vorausgefüllte Steuererklärung), which automatically imports data the Finanzamt already knows about, such as salary, wage tax, or health insurance contributions. It doesn’t calculate your taxes for you, but it does reduce the risk of missing income or insurance entries.
Remember, ELSTER gives you the structure only, not the explanations. You’re responsible for knowing which deductions or expenses apply.
ELSTER for married couples
ELSTER fully supports tax returns for married couples, including joint (Zusammenveranlagung) and separate (Einzelveranlagung) filing.
When filing jointly, both incomes are declared together, allowing the Finanzamt to apply income splitting (Ehegattensplitting). This can significantly reduce the total tax bill if one partner earns much more than the other. ELSTER handles the technical side automatically once joint assessment is selected.
Only one ELSTER account is needed for a joint return. The account holder enters both partners’ details and income BUT ELSTER won’t advise which option is financially better
ELSTER for freelancers and self-employed people
If you’re self-employed in Germany, ELSTER quickly becomes essential.
Freelancers and business owners use it regularly, not just once a year. This is where you submit:
- VAT pre-declarations (Umsatzsteuervoranmeldungen)
- VAT annual returns
- Income tax returns
- Profit calculations (EÜR)
- Trade tax declarations – Gewerbesteuer (if applicable)
ELSTER is also the main channel through which the Finanzamt sends payment schedules, advance tax assessments (Vorauszahlungen), and formal requests. Once registered, ELSTER is essentially your official digital communication line with the tax office.
How to open an ELSTER account from scratch
What you need before registering
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Your Steuer-ID (11-digit tax ID)
- A registered German address (Anmeldung)
- Access to your physical mailbox
- A valid email address
- Patience – part of the process happens by post
Step by step guide
Time needed: 10 days
Step by step: how to register for ELSTER from scratch
- 1. Go to the official website
Visit elster.de, switch the language to English, and click “Create user account”.
- Choose account type
Select “For a private individual”, even if you are self-employed (Freiberufler or Gewerbe).
- Enter your tax identification number
This is your “Steuer Identifikationsnummer” & not your “Steuernummer“. Read here what they are & what’s the difference if you are not sure.
- Confirm your date of birth
- Select “certificate file” as your login method
This is a file with a special .pfx format, in which the data is protected cryptographically. It will be activated with a password and then linked to a user account in “My ELSTER”. This is what most newcomers chose because it does not rely on other 2FA methods using hardware of a German-ID.
- Enter your email-address, username for your Elster account, security question & answer.
Make sure to check data is correct & confirm.
- Confirm account creation by clicking the link sent you via email.
This will trigger the sending of your activation ID via email, and the sending of your activation code by postal services. The first arrives within a few minutes while the second may take some days.
- Activate account using both the activation ID and the activation code.
Both together are your one time use login credentials to verify your identity, before creating a permanent login method. Enter both codes, set the permanent password.
- Download your ELSTER certificate (.pfx file) and you’re done!
This is your login credential, store it safely. Every time you’ll want to login, Elster will request it together with your strong password.
Once logged in:
- Check and update personal details
- Add your bank account
- Enable access to pre-filled tax data
- Familiarise yourself with Formulare (forms) and Postfach (messages)
How to use ELSTER for your tax return
It’s well worth investing a few dozens euros to submit your tax return through dedicated software, like we explain here. Here is the manual way.
Step 1: Log in to Mein ELSTER and select Einkommensteuererklärung under Formulare.
Step 2: Fill out the main form: personal details, bank account, income summary, and tax year.
Step 3: Add required attachments (Anlagen):
- Anlage N – employees
- Anlage Vorsorgeaufwand – insurance
- Anlage Kind – children
- Anlage S / EÜR – self-employed
Step 4: Review and check for warnings or inconsistencies. Save drafts as needed.
Step 5: Submit digitally and wait for confirmation in your ELSTER inbox. The Finanzamt may request documents later.
ELSTER vs tax apps vs tax advisors
| Feature | ELSTER | Dedicated Tax Software / Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid |
| Guidance / Tips | None. You must know what to declare | Step-by-step guidance, explanations, prompts for deductions |
| User-friendliness | Minimal; German-only interface; bureaucratic | Beginner-friendly, often bilingual, clear instructions |
| Data import / pre-filled forms | Pulls pre-filled data if activated | Limited pre-filling |
| Support for complex cases | Full scope | Depends on the app. |
| Control over filing | Full transparency; you do everything | Software guides the process; you rely on it to fill forms correctly |
| Speed & convenience | Requires manual form navigation | Often faster with prompts, checks, |
| Long-term usability | Reliable archive of all submissions | You rely on a private player story your input. |
ELSTER is essentially a glorified form-submission system. It does not guide you, explain what deductions apply, or suggest ways to optimise your return. It simply ensures your data reaches the Finanzamt securely and in the correct format.
Paid services & apps provide another added-value:
- By contrast, tax return apps (recommendations here) you through your return step by step, often in plain English, translating answers into the correct forms. They highlight potential deductions, import data automatically, and make the process much easier for newcomers or non-German speakers.
- Accounting & book-keeping apps (recommendations here) automate several time-consuming tasks for freelancers: VAT declarations, profit statements, and EÜR submissions automatically. They often include reminders for tax deadlines, and alerts for possible deductions, helping you optimise your tax return and avoid mistakes. Essentially, they turn the raw forms ELSTER requires into a manageable, almost hands-on financial overview, saving both time and stress.
- Tax advisors (Steuerberater) provide human expertise and take responsibility for correctness. They’re ideal for complicated situations: business owners, multi-country income, or complex deductions – but they are more expensive.
ELSTER English guide – FAQ
Do I have to use ELSTER in Germany?
It depends. Employees often aren’t required unless the Finanzamt requests it, but freelancers and self-employed people must file VAT, income tax, and EÜR through ELSTER. Even if optional, many residents use it voluntarily to claim refunds.
Can I file my tax return without ELSTER?
Yes, but options are limited. Paper filing is not possible anymore, and tax apps or advisors can submit on your behalf. ELSTER is the official digital channel and often the easiest way to stay organised.
How long does ELSTER registration take?
Online registration is quick, but full activation requires a postal letter with a code. Expect anywhere from a few days up to two weeks before your account is fully ready.
Does ELSTER provide guidance on deductions or tax optimisation?
No. ELSTER only offers forms and submission. It won’t explain rules or suggest deductions. For tips and help maximising your return, a tax app or a Steuerberater is recommended.
Can ELSTER handle VAT and self-employment filings?
Yes. ELSTER is mandatory for VAT declarations, profit statements, EÜR submissions, and advance payments. It’s the main communication channel with the Finanzamt for freelancers and self-employed people.
Should I use ELSTER alone or with a tax app?
For simple returns, ELSTER alone works. If you want guidance, help with deductions, or support for complex finances, pairing ELSTER with a tax app or advisor is the safest and easiest option.
Is ELSTER available in English?
While the interface of the portal is available in English, the form themselves are only available in German.
ELSTER guide – Sources and references
- ELSTER Help. “ELSTER Help Global.” ELSTER Portal. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.elster.de/eportal/helpGlobal?themaGlobal=help.
- Finanztip. “Elster.” Finanztip.de. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.finanztip.de/elster/.
- Steuern.de. “ELSTER‑Registrierung.” Steuern.de. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://www.steuern.de/elster-registrierung
- Finanzverwaltung Nordrhein‑Westfalen. Flyer ELSTER Registrierung NRW, July 19, 2017. https://www.finanzverwaltung.nrw.de/media/dokument/faltblatt-registrierung-im-elsteronline-portal
- CHIP. “Steuererklärung mit ELSTER Online – eine Kurzanleitung.” CHIP Praxistipps. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://praxistipps.chip.de/steuererklaerung-mit-elster-online-eine-kurzanleitung_9796.
- Wikipedia Contributors. “Elster (Software).” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Accessed January 14, 2026. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elster_(Software).