simplyELSTERplus

Free#79 of 123 in Personal Tax Software

simplyELSTERplus: A free, guided web workflow for German employees with straightforward tax returns. Ranked #79 of 123 in Personal Tax Software by our editors (3.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for german filers wanting a free guided workflow.

3.0/10★★☆☆☆Editor score

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At a glance

• Editor score
  3.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  German filers wanting a free guided workflow
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free guided workflow with automatic checks
  • Retrieves electronic tax data and submits directly
  • Transfers existing data to Mein ELSTER

• Where it doesn't

  • Web-only access
  • Designed for simple employment-income cases
  • Narrower feature scope than broader tax suites

Our verdict on simplyELSTERplus

simplyELSTERplus is a browser-based German tax filing application in the ELSTER family. It is designed for individual residents of Germany who file alone, have employment income, and hold a valid ELSTER certificate. The question-based workflow replaces traditional forms with guided prompts, while support for tax years 2023, 2024, and 2025 gives eligible filers a current filing path. The service is free and runs in the cloud through a web browser.

Its main strength is the end-to-end filing flow. Users can log in with an ELSTER certificate or ELSTER Secure, retrieve available electronic tax data such as wage tax certificates and insurance information, and receive automatic checks on declared information. The completed return can be submitted digitally to the tax office, or existing information can be transferred to Mein ELSTER without re-entering it. The workflow also covers selected professional expenses, donations, insurance, and extraordinary expenses. These features make it a focused option for people who want guided preparation rather than a traditional form-led process.

The trade-off is scope. simplyELSTERplus is positioned for simple cases involving employment income, so filers with more varied tax situations may be better served by a broader tax suite. Its web-only format also means the product is not presented as a mobile app. Support is available through chat, phone, ticket, community, and documentation channels, while the stated compliance signal is ISO 27001; 24/7 support is not part of the offering. Choose simplyELSTERplus for a free, guided route into German electronic filing. Consider an alternative when you need a wider range of tax scenarios or a broader feature set.

Your product? Our editors can test simplyELSTERplus in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

simplyELSTERplus pricing

simplyELSTERplus fact sheet

Alternatives to simplyELSTERplus

• 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 simplyELSTERplus alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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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 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update