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Germany Debuts EinfachELSTERplus to Simplify Tax Returns for Childless Wage Earners

A free online portal uses an interactive interview with automatic data import that transitions seamlessly to the traditional ELSTER system for filings outside its scope.

Overview

  • Launched on July 8, 2025, einfachELSTERplus is a free service on Mein ELSTER for single, childless wage earners submitting returns from tax year 2023 onward.
  • The platform guides filers through an interactive questionnaire with clear prompts and automatically integrates existing electronic proofs such as the annual wage tax statement.
  • First-time users must register for an Elster account via a certificate file or the Elster Secure App before they can access the streamlined interface.
  • Taxpayers requiring additional forms can seamlessly migrate their in-progress declaration to the traditional ELSTER system to complete unsupported entries.
  • Developed in Bavaria on behalf of federal and state governments, the tool’s scope will be gradually extended to other life situations and filing scenarios.