CHECK24 Steuer review
A free, guided German tax tool with ELSTER submission and extensive automated checks.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
CHECK24 Steuer is personal tax software for German employees, students, trainees, retirees, investors, landlords, and self-employed users. It guides filers through a step-by-step questionnaire, supports photographed document and receipt capture, retrieves tax data from the Finanzamt, and transfers previous-year data. Returns can be submitted digitally through the official ELSTER interface. Access is available on the web and through CHECK24’s iOS and Android apps, making it suitable for solo filers who want guided preparation across browser and mobile devices.
The pricing structure is straightforward: the published offering consists of a Free plan, with online tax-return preparation, digital submission to the Finanzamt, and the official ELSTER interface. The software’s main depth comes from automation and review tools rather than multiple paid tiers. It provides a live refund calculation, personalized tax tips, an AI tax adviser chat, AI risk analysis for tax-return anomalies, and more than 7,000 plausibility and optimization checks. Automatic tax-assessment notice checking adds a review step after the return has been processed.
Platform fit is centered on German tax administration: ELSTER handles digital submission, while automatic Finanzamt data retrieval connects the preparation process with tax-authority information. The product also covers investment income, rental income, and self-employment, alongside standard personal filing scenarios. Its narrow ecosystem focus is useful for German filers but less suitable for people seeking tax software outside Germany or beyond the ELSTER workflow. Buyers who want free guided automation, document capture, and extensive checks should consider CHECK24 Steuer; those prioritizing broader integrations or a choice of paid service tiers should look elsewhere.
Questions about CHECK24 Steuer
Does CHECK24 Steuer have a free plan? Yes, there is a free plan.
What does CHECK24 Steuer run on? Web, iOS and Android. It runs in the cloud and as a mobile app.
What does CHECK24 Steuer integrate with? 1 integration: ELSTER.
Who is CHECK24 Steuer built for? Solo users (our editorial estimate).
CHECK24 Steuer pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free preparation and digital submission through the official ELSTER interface
- AI advice, risk analysis, and personalized tax tips
- 7,000+ plausibility and optimization checks plus notice checking
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on German tax returns and the ELSTER ecosystem
- Support channels are limited to email and documentation
- Offers one Free plan rather than tiered plan choices
CHECK24 Steuer fact sheet, pricing and score →
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