Mein ELSTER
Mein ELSTER: A free official German tax portal with broad filing tools and mobile receipt support. Ranked #22 of 123 in Personal Tax Software by our editors (6.9/10); pricing: Free plan; best for german taxpayers preferring official filing.
At a glance
- Editor score6.9 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forGerman taxpayers preferring official filing
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Self-employment supportYes
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free access to income tax returns and other tax forms
- Prefilled data, calculations, and plausibility checks support filing
- Digital notices, receipt OCR, and electronic objections in one service
Where it doesn't
- Browser filing requires registration before use
- Support is not available 24/7
- The mobile app supports selected simplified workflows only
Our verdict on Mein ELSTER
Mein ELSTER is Germany’s official online tax portal for individuals and organizations. It supports online submission of income tax returns and other tax forms, including situations involving self-employment, investment income, and rental income. Individuals prepare returns through a browser after registration, while the MeinELSTER+ companion app extends access to receipt scanning, uploads, inbox access, and selected simplified tax-return workflows on Android and iOS.
The service is free: the published offering shows no charge for using Mein ELSTER itself. Its web and mobile access cover preparation, submission, and related tax-office communication. Before submission, users can calculate tax and run plausibility checks. Electronically available certificates and data can prefill returns, while receipt storage, scanning, OCR-assisted categorization, and uploads help organize supporting documents. Support channels include email, chat, phone, and documentation, although support is not presented as a 24/7 service.
Mein ELSTER’s strongest fit is for taxpayers who want an official route for German tax filing rather than a separate commercial workflow. After filing, users can receive tax notices digitally and compare them with submitted values. The service also supports electronic objections with reasons and attachments, extending beyond initial return submission. Its focus is the tax portal and direct communication with tax offices, so buyers seeking a broader integration ecosystem or a fully guided alternative should look elsewhere. Choose Mein ELSTER for free official filing, prefilled information, document handling, and follow-up correspondence; avoid it if selected mobile workflows or registration-led browser access do not suit your process.
Your product? Our editors can test Mein ELSTER in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Mein ELSTER pricing
Mein ELSTER fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Self-employment support | Yes |
| Investment income | Yes |
| Rental income | Yes |
| State filing | Not verified |
| Mobile access | Web_and_mobile |
| Audit support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | elster.de |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Mein ELSTER
- TurboTaxA broad US tax filing suite with free simple returns and paid expert support.9.3
- H&R Block OnlineA flexible tax-filing service with free simple returns and guided expert help.9.0
- TaxActA broad US tax filing option with free entry, paid coverage, and expert help.8.8
See all Mein ELSTER alternatives →
Used Mein ELSTER? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Mein ELSTER for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Mein ELSTER is listed in our Personal Tax Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/mein-elster/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/mein-elster.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update