In Germany, for both businesses and individuals, proper bookkeeping and tax compliance play a key role in financial planning. The complexities of tax laws can be a challenge for both entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens. The rapid development of technology provides access to programs that greatly facilitate accounting processes and simplify tax accounting. In this article we will look at a variety of software solutions specifically designed to facilitate the accounting of income and expenses, and also consider their application both in the context of business and in the everyday life of individuals in Germany.
Popular Tax Filing Software
It is recommended to file a tax return annually, even if there is no obvious need. Many, whether entrepreneurs or employees, have the right to write off various expenses from taxes, on average more than 1000 euros per year. Filing your tax return yourself will also avoid the additional costs of expensive tax advice or tax consultants.
We will look at 5 popular programs for filing a tax return:
Elster – official portal from Finanzamt
WISO tax – a professional tool for filing tax returns and tax deductions, also suitable for entrepreneurs
SteuerGo – tax portal for filing returns for individuals
- Steuerbot – an easy and simple tax return filing tool for employees, students and atsubis in the form of a chatbot
tax fix – another chatbot for easy filing of declarations for employees, students and atsubi
Elster
Elster is an electronic project of German Steuerverwaltungen all states and the federal government, processing tax returns, tax registration and much more via the Internet.
The main advantage of Elster is absolutely free feed tax returns, electronic communication with Finanzamt, the ability to submit applications to change tax class directly from your personal account and much more. However, the platform does not offer any assistance with the tax refund procedure, as it is not in Finanzamt's interest to look for tax saving opportunities. Additionally, preparing your return using Elster can seem daunting, especially for people with little tax experience.
WISO tax
WISO Steuer is a professional tool and provides a wide range of options for various categories of taxpayers, including self-employed, employees, pensioners and others. The program helps automate the process of filling out tax returns, providing detailed instructions and guiding tips for filling out various sections of the form.
With WISO Steuer you do not need a certificate from Elster to submit your tax return electronically. This way you won't have to link through Elster, which in many cases takes up to two weeks before you receive your access details.
Cost starts from 35,99 euro (for the 2023 version) per year when subscribing. In addition, the company offers professional software support. You can order a tax consultant and carefully check your completed return for 99 euros.
SteuerGo
SteuerGo is a tax portal for filing returns for individuals. The site also has an application, however, the Web version is still more convenient. Good tips when filling out the declaration, multilingual support on weekdays (includes English and Russian), payment directly for filing the declaration.
Suitable for tax returns for salaried employees, students or atsubi, but not suitable for more complex cases, for example: self-employed, entrepreneurs, some investors.
You can calculate your tax refund for free by submitting one return costs 34,95 euros.
Steuerbot
Steuerbot is a simple and intuitive application (as well as a web version) for filing your taxes. You create a declaration on your smartphone in a chat - the application asks a question, you answer.
The application is suitable for the simplest tax returns - for employees, students or atsubi, but not suitable for more complex cases, for example: self-employed, entrepreneurs, landlords.
Data exchange with the tax office occurs without an Elster certificate.
You can calculate your tax refund for free if you are not required to file an annual return. Filing one return costs 39,99 eurosif the return is more than 50 euros or you are required to submit a declaration annually (for example, in grades 3 and 5).
tax fix
tax fix is another simple tax app with chat functionality. As with Steuerbot, it quickly resolves issue after issue without you having to delve into the depths of tax law.
With Taxfix you also don't have to worry about getting an Elster certificate. The app doesn't offer verification of your notification and can't archive receipts. You can also use Taxfix in a browser on your computer.
Designed for employees, withstudents, ggovernment employees, uhkspatov, atsubi. Not suitable for entrepreneurs and self-employed people.
Cost - from 39,99 euro for the declaration.
- Web browser
- Web-Browser, smartphone application, program for PC and Mac
- Free options
- from 35,99 euro
- Web browser
- Web-Browser, smartphone application, program for PC and Mac
- Web Browser, smartphone application
- Web Browser, smartphone application
- Web Browser, smartphone application
- Free options
- from 35,99 euro
- from 34,95 euro
- from 39,99 euro
- from 39,99 euro
- Web Browser, smartphone application
- from 39,99 euro
Accounting programs and applications
Modern technologies provide businesses and entrepreneurs in Germany with tools to simplify and automate accounting processes. Financial accounting, invoicing, and tax compliance are becoming more accessible through a variety of software solutions. Below we look at 5 programs that will make it easier for you to work with accounting, income and expenses, and tax compliance in the context of the German business environment:
Lexoffice – one of the most extensive, universal and convenient services for accounting
Paperwork – invoicing for small and medium businesses with a free plan
sevDesk – another one of the most comprehensive accounting tools on the market
Billomat – a powerful accounting tool designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses
- FastBill – excellent invoicing software
Lexoffice
Lexoffice is an intuitive and inexpensive assistant for creating and managing invoices and general accounting. The efficient user interface is easy to understand even for beginners.
The program is suitable for two types of accounting (EÜR and P&L). However, you should note that Lexoffice works only with euro.
In addition, it is a powerful tool for invoicing and accounting.
Lexoffice provides a free trial period of 30 days, the cost varies depending on the tariff - from 3,45 euro per month. We recommend tariff L for 9,95 euro a month.
Paperwork
Papierkram is an accounting tool specifically designed for SMEs and freelancers. It helps you perform important office tasks, from creating invoices to filing receipts and creating tax reports.
The service has free document processing tariff - with its help you can create invoices and proposals, manage receipts, track expenses, track working hours and much more completely free of charge.
It only works with euros and is more suitable for invoicing than for full-fledged accounting. Paid versions cost from 9,90 euro upon prepayment for the year.
sevDesk
sevDesk is one of the most comprehensive accounting tools on the market and remains user-friendly despite its many features. It is suitable for two types of accounting (EÜR and P&L) and offers numerous integrations and extensions.
sevDesk was developed specifically for small companies and self-employed people who want to spend as little time as possible on accounting.
In addition, the platform has the ability to issue invoices in foreign currencies and integrates with postal services. There is a free trial period of 14 days.
Cost starts from 17,90 euro per month when paid for 24 months.
Billomat
Billomat is a powerful accounting tool designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.
Billomat's extensive feature set includes all the important functions for billing. When it comes to accounting, Billomat also covers all the important aspects: from automatic payment reconciliation and reliable receipt management to EÜR reporting. There is integration with e-commerce platforms (for example WooCommerce and Shopify).
The platform supports accounts in foreign currencies. There is a trial period of 14 days.
Price from 19 euro per month when paid annually.
FastBill
FastBill is an excellent invoicing software, but unfortunately, its accounting features are inferior to others in our review.
Self-employed and small businesses can automate the entire invoicing process, from quotes to invoice creation and payment reminders to accounting preparation. There is integration with postal services and invoicing in foreign currency.
Price from 9 euro when paid annually.
Integration with mail services
Integration with mail services
Integration with mail services
Integration with mail services
Integration with mail services
Integration with DATEV
Integration with DATEV
Integration with DATEV
Integration with DATEV
Integration with DATEV
Integration with Elster
Integration with Elster
Integration with Elster
Integration with Elster
Integration with Elster
Integration with online banking
Integration with online banking
Integration with online banking
Integration with online banking
Integration with online banking
Foreign currency support
Foreign currency support
Foreign currency support
Foreign currency support
Foreign currency support
P&S Income Statements
P&S Income Statements
P&S Income Statements
P&S Income Statements
P&S Income Statements
Languages
- German
Languages
- German
Languages
- German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek
Languages
- German, English
Languages
- German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Swedish
- from 3,45 euros/month.
- from 0 euro
- from 17,90 euros/month.
- from 19 euros/month.
- from 9 euros/month.
Integration with mail services
Integration with mail services
Integration with DATEV
Integration with DATEV
Integration with Elster
Integration with Elster
Integration with online banking
Integration with online banking
Foreign currency support
Foreign currency support
P&S Income Statements
P&S Income Statements
Languages
- German
Languages
- German
- from 3,45 euros/month.
- from 0 euro
Integration with mail services
Integration with DATEV
Integration with Elster
Integration with online banking
Foreign currency support
P&S Income Statements
Languages
- German, English, French, Spanish, Italian, Greek
- from 17,90 euros/month.
