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SPECIFICTION
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Mein ELSTER

elster.de

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Spec score 8.8 #19 of 149 in Tax Software

What it is

Mein ELSTER is a free online tax office for transmitting tax data electronically without paper. Users can upload receipts to Meine Belege, while the free MeinELSTER+ app can photograph paper receipts and transfer them to an account. The app suggests values and categories from images for review, displays the ELSTER inbox, and lets users send receipts or messages to the tax office. For simple tax situations, it can prepare a suggested 2025 income tax return using existing data and allowances. Listed users include individuals, employers, businesses, associations, and tax advisers; organizations can authenticate through ELSTER certificates. Login options include certificate files, security sticks, signature cards, and ElsterSecure, though available functions vary by method and security level. Tax data is encrypted in transmission, with integrity checked using a hash code. The service runs on administration infrastructure certified to ISO 27001 based on BSI IT-Grundschutz.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Mein ELSTER is an online tax office for paperless electronic transmission of tax data.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Free plan
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · elster.de
Support
ELSTER offers a technical hotline on weekdays from 7:00 to 22:00 and weekends or nationwide public holidays from 10:00 to 18:00; it handles technical issues only.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Headquarters
Munich, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · elster.de
App availability
MeinELSTER+ is offered as a free app for Android and Apple devices; its page specifies Android 14 and iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Business access
Organizations can use ELSTER certificates to sign in to online services and submit authenticated applications.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Encrypted transmission
The site says tax data is transmitted in encrypted form to the federal states’ data centers and integrity is ensured with a hash code.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Inbox and forms
The MeinELSTER+ app displays the Mein ELSTER inbox and lets users submit receipts or send a message to the tax office.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Investment income
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · elster.de
Limit for simplyELSTERplus
einfachELSTERplus is described for German residents filing alone with an ELSTER certificate and employment income who do not need to report children; 2025 returns can also include retirement provision and pension income.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Login options
Authentication options include a certificate file, security stick, signature card, and ElsterSecure mobile app; available functions depend on the selected method and its security level.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Mobile access
web_and_mobileRead 22 Sep 2026 · elster.de
One-click return
MeinELSTER+ can prepare a suggested 2025 income tax return for users in simple tax situations using existing data and allowances.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Receipt scanning
MeinELSTER+ extracts suggested values and categories from photographed receipts for users to review.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Receipt storage
Users can upload receipts to “Meine Belege,” and the MeinELSTER+ app can photograph paper receipts and transfer them to the account.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Rental income
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · elster.de
Security certification
ELSTER services run on the administration’s own infrastructure certified to ISO 27001 on the basis of BSI IT-Grundschutz.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Self-employment support
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · elster.de
Supported platforms
The tested browser configurations include Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu Linux; mobile access with ElsterSecure includes Android and iOS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Supported users
The site lists individuals, employers, businesses, associations, and tax advisory professionals as user groups.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de
Tax features
The service lists prior-year data transfer, tax calculation, assessment-data comparison, digital assessments, prefilled returns, plausibility checks, and support for visually impaired users.Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de

Plans and prices

Mein ELSTER Free Free online tax service · paperless electronic filing Read 12 Oct 2026 · elster.de

Every Mein ELSTER plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free online tax service
  • Prior-year data transfer and prefilled returns
  • Receipt photography with suggested values and categories
  • Options include certificate, security stick, card, and app

Limits

  • Available functions depend on the login method and security level
  • Technical hotline handles technical issues only
  • einfachELSTERplus has eligibility limits

Who it suits

It suits individuals and organizations handling German tax data electronically, including employers, businesses, associations, and tax advisers. The receipt app and accessibility support may be useful to individual filers.

Verdict

Mein ELSTER brings electronic filing, tax tools, and receipt handling together at no cost. Check the login method requirements and the narrower eligibility for einfachELSTERplus before choosing a filing route.

Where Specifiction places it

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