Filing a tax declaration in Germany might be a duty for every citizen, but many individuals struggle with this task. Regardless of the designated timeframe, some folks unintentionally overlook it, leading to last-minute scrambling.
Many view completing a tax return as a routine chore, although it presents an excellent opportunity to recoup money from the government.
Submitting a German Tax Declaration in a Snap
Even on the last day to file a tax declaration, there's still time to accomplish the mission. The secret is prioritizing what's significant. If your aim is to satisfy the tax inspection and avoid late payment penalties, merely checking off the crucial points might suffice.
Focus on the forms that necessitate submission to avoid paying late payment penalties. This means not only meeting the deadline but also claiming reimbursement for additional expenses.
The process can be sped up by registering on Elster, a of the tax administration. You can submit your income tax declaration on time, even on October 2nd at 23:59. The same applies if specialized tax software linked to the Elster portal is used.
A notable advantage is that the tax declaration is already pre-filled. Thanks to electronic data transmitted by employers, medical, and pension insurance companies to the tax inspection, transferring information requires just a click of a mouse.
Submitting a tax declaration in Germany in less than an hour. Photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels
If previously submitted data has not changed over the year, such as your name, address, and bank account details, no need to re-enter them. This simplifies paying taxes within an hour.
Anyone submitting a paper tax declaration also benefits from electronic data. Fields that can be skipped because the tax inspection already has this information are clearly marked in dark green.
With Elster, you can download the essential forms and fill them out on your computer. Once completed, simply print them. If you're short on time, you can drop the documents directly into the tax inspection mailbox.
If submitting a tax return on time proves challenging despite all advice, there's another option: request an extension from the tax inspection. This can be done by phone, in writing, or through Elster, up to the actual deadline.
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Despite the time constraints, even on the last day, you can use Elster to file your tax declaration. Similarly, if you've used specialized tax software linked to Elster, you can submit your declaration up until October 2nd at 23:59.
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To expedite your tax declaration filing process through the Elster portal, follow these steps:
- Register for the Elster Portal:
- Create an Elster certificate by registering for a user account on the ElsterOnline portal (EOP) or the BZSt online portal (BOP) [1].
- For BOP registration, obtain your tax number from the BZSt by applying online and mailing the application. Afterwards, you will receive your tax number via post, and the registration code via email [1].
- Activate your BOP account using the data provided in the email and post, and you will receive a temporary certificate. Then, complete the registration process [1].
- For EOP registration, create a user account and receive the activation data by email, and the activation code for your account by post. Activate your access by using the data, and you will receive a certificate to log in [1].
- Log into your User Account:
- Once you have your certificate, log into your user account in the EOP or BOP [1].
- Register the Tax:
- Utilize the electronic data sheet on the EOP or BOP to register your tax, entering your income and expenses [1].
- Pay the Tax:
- The calculated tax on the online portal can be paid by bank transfer or by issuing a direct debit mandate. The SEPA direct debit scheme ensures timely payment to the BZSt. A direct debit mandate template is available on the BZSt website [1].
- Consider Using Tax Software for Convenience:
- Consider using tax software, like WISO Steuer or Taxfix, which can simplify the process and automatically fill in much of the necessary information [2][3].
By adhering to these steps, you can effortlessly submit your tax declaration in Germany through the Elster portal and software.
