H&R Block Online vs smartsteuer

H&R Block Online has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

smartsteuer is an online tax-return service for employees, self-employed people, retirees, and students filing in Germany. Its guided interview takes users through relevant questions, while smartCheck looks for errors, plausibility problems, and possible tax-saving opportunities. VaSt can retrieve tax data from the tax office to prepare a pre-filled return, and users can transfer information from prior years. Self-employed users can send EÜR data from Lexware Office through an interface. Returns are submitted electronically to the tax office using ELSTER; amended returns and rental income are supported. The service runs in a browser without installation on desktop, tablet, or smartphone, and its listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The paid plan costs €39.99/yr, billed by tax year, and a free trial is available. smartsteuer says data is encrypted and stored in German data centres, and cites PCI DSS and SAS 70 Type IIb standards. It also says its systems receive BSI checks and ongoing internal security testing. Email support and a 24/7 AI chatbot are available. Some special cases, including profit determination for agriculture and forestry, cannot be recorded.