Video description of how the meinElster+ app works
Mein ELSTER now offers you the option of storing receipts in your user account to help you prepare your income tax return. You can upload the receipts after Login in the "My receipts" area. Paper receipts can be photographed with the new MeinElster+ app and transferred to your user account. Further information
With the e-invoice viewer, ELSTER offers the possibility to visualize e-invoices. To the e-invoice viewer
einfachELSTER offers a service especially for pensioners to submit their annual income tax return quickly and easily. The clear user interface guides you step by step through the paperless preparation of your tax return. Too simpleElster
By querying your system data (see below), this wizard checks whether your system fully or partially meets the requirements for using Mein ELSTER. The following components are checked:
Which account type you should choose for your user account depends on the activity you are carrying out and for whom you wish to make declarations.
Solo self-employed persons and sole traders are self-employed persons in all sectors with commercial or freelance income. If your sole proprietorship is not a corporation and you do not have any employees, we recommend the "For a private individual" account type.
Both online identity checks use your ID card and you need an app for each, which must be installed on a smartphone or Tablet.
NECT GmbH is a company from Hamburg and uses both video and voice recordings to check whether the picture on your ID card is really you. For more information, please follow this link: Nect | Product individual The Online ID function uses the AusweisApp, published by Governikus GmbH & CO.KG. Here, the chip in your ID card is read using the NFC function of your mobile device or a card reader and your identity is confirmed. You will need the ID card PIN that you received from the registration office when you received your ID card. For further information, please follow this link: AusweisApp: Use the online ID function.
Requirements for the respective identification option:
| NECT | BadgeApp2 |
|---|---|
Smartphone / Tablet | NFC-enabled smartphone or card reader |
Nect Wallet app | ID card app |
Identity card | ID card and 6-digit ID card PIN |
If your smartphone / Tablet does not have an NFC function and you do not have a card reader, please use the online identity check with the Nect Wallet app.
NECT GmbH is a company based in Hamburg that offers identification with an ID card using the Nect Wallet app, which you can also use without an ID card PIN.
Further information can be found at Nect | Team.
You have successfully completed the registration process optimized for companies. You now have the option of logging into "Mein Unternehmenskonto" and "Mein ELSTER" with your user account.
Please be sure to enter your "correct" e-mail address. This is very important for the registration process to run smoothly. If the e-mail address is inadvertently entered incorrectly or a fictitious e-mail address is used, you will not receive the e-mail address required for registration. Activation ID not received. In this case, you will not be able to complete the registration successfully and may have to repeat it. Once you have successfully registered, you can change your e-mail address at any time in Mein ELSTER. If you have not received an e-mail despite entering your e-mail address correctly, this may be due to a spam filter or a personal filter setting in your e-mail program.
You may also have informed your email provider that your inbox is evaluated according to your personal search pattern and that Spam messages are automatically rejected or sorted out. In this case, the Provider often offers the option of creating a "list of permitted senders" (Whitelist). This ensures that emails from the listed senders are always accepted. Please add the e-mail address from Mein ELSTER "portal@elster.de" and repeat the registration process if you suspect that you are affected by the problem.
Note on the error code: 080005207
If you receive this error code on the page for entering the date of birth, a user account already exists for the tax identification number you entered. A new registration is therefore not possible. Instead, please carry out an access renewal in the existing user account. For access renewal
Help on the date of birth
Entering your date of birth correctly is very important for the registration process to run smoothly (when registering "For a private individual"). If the date of birth is inadvertently entered incorrectly or a fictitious date of birth is used, the automated generation and sending of the Codes for activation unfortunately not possible by letter. In this case, you will not be able to complete the registration successfully and may have to repeat it. The minimum age for using Mein ELSTER is 18 years.
Note for registration with identification number:
If you only know part of your date of birth, you have the option of entering this date as follows:
Under User name, you can enter a freely selectable character string (maximum 16 characters). The user name is used to distinguish between several user accounts of one user in Mein ELSTER. The user name in combination with the email address entered must therefore be unique.
Please note: The user name (and any personal data it contains) is transmitted in unencrypted form in Mein ELSTER emails.
When entering your personal data, you must also select and answer a security question from the questions provided. The security question will later be used to delete your personal access to Mein ELSTER. Only you and Mein ELSTER know which question and which answer will allow you to delete your personal access.
A "captcha" is a security measure to ensure that the registration is not carried out automatically by a bot or similar.
Type the characters and note that they are case-sensitive. When using the audio function, a different character string is played. Both character strings are accepted in the input field.
The 6-digit verification code is required to confirm your e-mail address. This ensures that the e-mail address you have entered really belongs to you.
If you have not received an e-mail despite entering your e-mail address correctly, this may be due to a spam filter or a personal filter setting in your e-mail program.
You may also have informed your email provider that your inbox is evaluated according to your personal search pattern and that Spam messages are automatically rejected or sorted out. In this case, the Provider often offers the option of creating a "list of permitted senders" (Whitelist). This ensures that emails from the listed senders are always accepted. Please add "portal@elster.de" to the Mein ELSTER e-mail address and have the Code sent to you again if you suspect you are affected by the problem.
To activate your user account, an activation Code will be sent by post and an activation ID by email.
The activation ID is an 18-digit Code that you need for identification. Please also check your Spam folder if necessary.
Please repeat the registration process if you have not received a letter by post or an email.
The password is crucial as a personal password to protect your ELSTER certificate file.
In the case of certificate files, the security of the certificate depends on the selected password, as these could be copied unnoticed (e.g. in the case of Phishing) and the assigned password alone then represents the security anchor.
If you suspect unauthorized copying of the certificate file, you should change the password as soon as possible after Login under "My user account". A new certificate file will be issued and the old one automatically invalidated.
The password can be 10 to 128 characters long.
The password can be formed from a ... z, A ... Z, 0 to 9, you can also choose from the following special characters:
Your password should contain at least letters as well as numbers. You can find more information on this topic at "Passwords" of the Federal Office for Information Security.
| Login option | ElsterSecure | Certificate file | Identity card | Security stick | Signature card |
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| Tax returns, tax declarations and other forms |
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| Retrieval of certificates (pre-filled tax return) |
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| Retrieval of notifications and other letters (digital notification) |
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| Information on the electronic income tax card for employees |
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| Employer functions for ELStAM (electronic wage tax deduction features) |
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| Tax account query |
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| Management of powers of attorney |
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| Data exchange for municipalities, associations and other institutions with the tax administration | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Qualification for income tax assistance associations | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Forms at BZStOnline (further information at www.elster.de/bportal/start) |
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1) To use the employer functions for ELStAM (electronic wage tax deduction features), registration with the organization's tax number is recommended.
| Login option | ElsterSecure | Certificate file | Security stick | Signature card |
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| Tax returns, tax declarations and other forms |
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Retrieval of certificates (pre-filled tax return) |
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Retrieval of notifications and other letters (digital notification) |
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Information on the electronic income tax card for employees | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Employer functions for ELStAM (electronic wage tax deduction features) |
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| Tax account query |
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| Management of powers of attorney |
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| Data exchange for municipalities, associations and other institutions with the tax administration |
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| Qualification for income tax assistance associations |
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| Forms at BZStOnline (further information at www.elster.de/bportal/start) |
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1) For the retrieval of certificates, these registration types are only intended for tax advisory professions. With the certificate file Login option, the retrieval of certificates is only possible via authorizations.
| Login option | Certificate file | ElsterSecure | Security stick | Signature card |
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| Questionnaire for tax registration |
| -- | -- | -- |
The first step is to enter your personal data. This includes
When registering "For me":
When registering "For an organization":
After entering your data, you will first receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address to prove your identity to the tax office. If you click on the link contained in this e-mail, the data required to complete the registration process will be entered. Activation data and sent separately by e-mail and by post to your address stored with the registration office or the tax authorities.
Your personal postal address is available from the registration authority under the identification number given. The postal address of the organization on whose behalf you are registering is available from the tax authorities under the tax number given.
You will receive a Activation ID by e-mail and separately by post a corresponding Activation Code. Delivery by post prevents an unauthorized person from creating an account in your name or in the name of the organization you represent.
As soon as you have received both activation data, you can complete the registration via the link in the e-mail with the activation ID.
You do not need the retrieval code you received by post at this point. This is only used to retrieve certificates, which you can only do after Login.
You have already completed step 1 of the registration process and received an e-mail with an activation ID and a letter with an activation Code. In this step you activate your access with this data. After entering the activation data, you will receive a certificate file protected by your own personal password (file extension ".pfx"), which you can use to carry out your Login in future.
If you do not want to / cannot click on the link to step 2 in the e-mail with the activation ID, you can use the following links to access step 2 of the registration process:
Registration "For me": Access step 2 (certificate file)
Registration "For an organization": Access step 2 (certificate file)
After entering the activation data, a certificate file is automatically generated on your computer on the next page. You can change the path and file name. You must retain the ".pfx" file extension. Access to the private key contained in the file is protected by a password that you must set yourself. Please only save the certificate file and do not open or import it on your PC. To ensure that the saving of your certificate file has worked, all you need to do to complete the process is to Login with the certificate file you have just downloaded. To do this, select the certificate file on your PC with "Browse" and enter the password you have assigned.
Now always enter the correct path and file name of your certificate file and the corresponding password when Login. As soon as you click on the "Login" button, the login is carried out automatically.
If you have purchased several personal accounts, make sure you select the correct certificate file.
Only use this option to create a user account if you have not yet been issued a personal identification number by the Federal Central Tax Office or a tax number by your local tax office.
You then only have the option of completing and submitting a tax registration questionnaire.
No other forms or functions are offered.
When creating a user account for yourself (and jointly invested partners) or for an organization, registration is also only possible "With e-mail". This option is only offered with the "Certificate file" Login option.
The first step is to enter your e-mail address and a user name. Then select a security question and enter the answer.
To prove your identity to the tax office, you will first receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address after entering it. Click on the link in this e-mail and you will receive another e-mail with an activation ID and an activation Code.
In the next step, you activate your access by entering the activation data. After entering your own personal password, you will receive a certificate file (file extension ".pfx"), which you can use to carry out your Login in My ELSTER in future.
You can change the storage path and the file name. You must retain the ".pfx" file extension. Please only save the certificate file and do not open or import it on your PC . To ensure that saving your certificate file has worked, you now only need to log in with the certificate file you have just downloaded to complete the process.
If you know your identification number or the tax number of your organization at a later date, you can activate the functions of a fully-fledged user account. To do this, log in to My ELSTER and select "My user account" - "Activate functions of a fully-fledged user account". You will then be sent an e-mail with an activation ID and a letter with an activation code.
The first step is to enter your personal data. This includes
When registering "For me":
When registering "For an organization":
After entering your data, you will first receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address to prove your identity to the tax office. If you click on the link contained in this e-mail, the data required to complete the registration process will be entered. Activation data and sent separately by e-mail and by post to your address stored with the registration office or the tax authorities.
Your personal postal address is available from the registration authority under the identification number given. The postal address of the organization on whose behalf you are registering is available from the tax authorities under the tax number given.
You will receive a Activation ID by e-mail and separately by post a corresponding Activation Code. Delivery by post prevents an unauthorized person from creating an account in your name or in the name of the organization you represent.
As soon as you have received both activation data, you can complete the registration via the link in the e-mail with the activation ID.
You do not need the retrieval code you received by post at this point. This is only used to retrieve certificates, which you can only do after Login.
You have already completed step 1 of the registration process and received an e-mail with an activation ID and a letter with an activation Code. In this step, you activate your access with this data. During setup, an access key is set up with the device password you are using (e.g. screen lock, Face ID or fingerprint).
If you do not want to / cannot click on the link to step 2 in the e-mail with the activation ID, you can use the following links to access step 2 of the registration process:
Registration "For me": Access step 2 (ElsterSecure)
Registration "For an organization": Access step 2 (ElsterSecure)
After entering the activation ID in the Browser, you will be prompted to complete the activation of the user account with ElsterSecure. To do this, follow the instructions and scan the QR code. You must then enter the activation code in the app. The message that the activation has been completed will now appear in the Browsers.
Now always select Login with ElsterSecure when logging in. You will be asked in the Browser to scan a QR code with the app. You can then select the desired profile in the app - if several profiles are used. After confirming your identity, e.g. by screen lock, Face ID, fingerprint or PIN, the Login is carried out.
To use your ID card for Login in My ELSTER you need:
Software ID card app
Select in the Login mask from My ELSTER select the "ID card" option and ensure that all requirements for use are met. In particular, the AusweisApp software must be installed and started on your PC. If you want to use a supported smartphone as a card reader, the AusweisApp must also be installed there. You can find more details on how to use the software on the manufacturer's website.
Click on "Login with AusweisApp" in the login screen of My ELSTER to start the Software on your PC and begin the process of reading out your ID card. Follow the instructions of the AusweisApp to identify yourself.
You will then be redirected back to the ELSTER website. The first time you use your ID card in My ELSTER, you must enter the following data to complete your user account:
You will then receive an e-mail to the specified e-mail address. You must confirm receipt of this e-mail by clicking on the link it contains to verify your e-mail address. Your user account has now been created and activated.
You can now use your ID card for every Login in My ELSTER and access your user account directly.
The first step is to enter your personal data. This includes
When registering "For me":
When registering "For an organization":
After entering your data, you will first receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address to prove your identity to the tax office. If you click on the link contained in this e-mail, the data required to complete the registration process will be entered. Activation data and sent separately by e-mail and by post to your address stored with the registration office or the tax authorities.
Your personal postal address is available from the registration authority under the identification number given. The postal address of the organization on whose behalf you are registering is available from the tax authorities under the tax number given.
You will receive a Activation ID by e-mail and separately by post a corresponding Activation Code. Delivery by post prevents an unauthorized person from creating an account in your name or in the name of the organization you represent.
As soon as you have received both activation data, you can complete the registration via the link in the email with the activation ID.
You have already completed step 1 of the registration process and received an e-mail with an activation ID and a letter with an activation Code. In this step, you activate your access with this data. You now need the following software to communicate between your Browsers and the security stick ElsterAuthenticator.
If you do not want to / cannot click on the link to step 2 in the e-mail with the activation ID, you can use the following links to access step 2 of the registration process:
Registration "For me": Access step 2 (safety stick)
Registration "For an organization": Access step 2 (safety stick)
After entering the activation data, your certificate is stored on the security stick. Access to the private key contained in the file is protected by a password that you must set yourself.
Now always select Login with security stick when Logins. As soon as you click on the "Continue with ElsterAuthenticator" button, the Software will open and ask for the password you have assigned.
If you have purchased several personal accesses, make sure you use the correct security stick.
The first step is to enter your personal data. This includes
When registering "For me":
When registering "For an organization":
After entering your data, you will first receive an e-mail to confirm your e-mail address to prove your identity to the tax office. If you click on the link contained in this e-mail, the data required to complete the registration process will be entered. Activation data and sent separately by e-mail and by post to your address stored with the registration office or the tax authorities.
Your personal postal address is available from the registration authority under the identification number given. The postal address of the organization on whose behalf you are registering is available from the tax authorities under the tax number given.
You will receive a Activation ID by e-mail and separately by post a corresponding Activation Code. Delivery by post prevents an unauthorized person from creating an account in your name or in the name of the organization you represent.
As soon as you have received both activation data, you can complete the registration via the link in the email with the activation ID.
You have already completed step 1 of the registration process and received an e-mail with an activation ID and a letter with an activation Code. In this step, you activate your access with this data. You now need the following software to communicate between your Internet Browsers and the signature card ElsterAuthenticator.
If you do not want to / cannot click on the link to step 2 in the e-mail with the activation ID, you can use the following links to access step 2 of the registration process:
Registration "For me": Access step 2 (signature card)
Registration "For an organization": Access step 2 (signature card)
After entering the activation data and your personal password for the signature card, My ELSTER automatically checks the validity of the relevant certificates contained on your signature card via the trust centers of your card issuer. If the check is successful, the relevant certificates are saved in a My ELSTER directory service. As with the certificate file and security stick, the relevant certificates are usually two certificates, one for authentication and one for encryption.
Now always select Login with signature card when Logins. As soon as you click on the "Continue with ElsterAuthenticator" button, the Software opens and asks for the password of your signature card.
If you are no longer able to log in to your user account (e.g. forgotten password or lost certificate file), you can use the Renew access. New activation data will be sent to you and, similar to a registration, you will receive new access data at the end. For the security of your data, you will receive an activation ID by e-mail and, separately, an activation Code by post. Please note that it may take a few days to receive the activation code.
Please note that the access renewal can only be carried out in the portal of the original registration of your user account.
Access renewal process explained step by step.
During access renewal, you have the option of revoking your current certificate. Revoking it will deactivate access to your user account. After completing the access renewal, you will receive a new certificate by entering the activation data, with which Login is possible again. The revoked certificate remains revoked and cannot be reactivated.
If you have forgotten your password, you can create a new password as part of a so-called Access renewal apply. You will be sent new activation data similar to a registration and you will receive a new password at the end.
For the security of your data, you will receive an activation ID by e-mail and, separately, an activation Code by post. Please note that it may take a few days for the activation code to be delivered. When registering with an identification number (for me), the letter with the activation code will be sent to the address currently on file with the registration authority. When registering with a tax number (for an organization), the letter will be sent to the address currently stored at the tax office responsible for the tax number. Any powers of attorney are not taken into account.
Please note:
