What ELSTER actually is
ELSTER (short for Elektronische Steuererklärung, "electronic tax return") is the free government platform through which German tax authorities require most tax filings to be submitted electronically. It is not optional infrastructure — for VAT returns, payroll filings and most business tax declarations, paper forms are no longer accepted at all.
You can use ELSTER two ways: directly through its own portal, or indirectly through third-party accounting or tax software that is certified to transmit filings through the same official technical interface. Either way, the filing ultimately reaches the Finanzamt through the same government system.
Is ELSTER available in English?
Not really. A handful of general information pages have picked up English text over the years, but the actual forms — the fields you fill in to file a return — remain German-only. There is no official setting that switches the filing workflow itself into English, for individuals or for companies.
Browser translation tools help with static page text, but they tend to struggle with German tax terminology and can mistranslate dynamic form fields in ways that are easy to miss until it's too late.
What you'll actually file through it
What lands on ELSTER depends on your legal structure. Freiberufler and Gewerbe file a narrower set than a GmbH or UG.
| Filing | Sole trader / Freiberufler | GmbH / UG |
|---|---|---|
| VAT advance returns | Yes, unless Kleinunternehmer | Yes |
| Annual income or corporate tax return | Einkommensteuererklärung | Körperschaftsteuererklärung |
| Trade tax return | If a Gewerbe | Yes |
| Electronic balance sheet (E-Bilanz) | Not usually required | Yes |
| Payroll tax filings | If you have staff | If you have staff |
How people actually file without fluent German
Three routes cover most cases:
- A Steuerberater files on your behalf. You provide the underlying figures in English, they handle ELSTER directly. This is the most common route for anything beyond the most routine filings, and remains the safest choice for annual returns and anything company-specific.
- English-language software prepares the numbers and transmits through ELSTER's official channel behind the scenes. You work in an English interface; the technical submission still uses the same government pathway as the ELSTER portal itself.
- Doing it yourself with translation tools. Workable for straightforward, recurring filings once you recognise the fields — the VAT advance return, for instance, repeats the same layout every period. Considerably harder for annual returns with unfamiliar schedules.
Do you still need your own ELSTER account?
Yes, even if a Steuerberater files everything for you. Official correspondence and notices from the Finanzamt sometimes arrive through your ELSTER account rather than by post, and you'll want it to grant your Steuerberater electronic power of attorney (elektronische Vollmacht) so they can file without you re-entering credentials for every submission. Our step-by-step ELSTER registration guide walks through setting one up.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official English version of ELSTER?
No. Some general information pages exist in English, but the portal's actual forms and workflow are only available in German.
Can I file my company's taxes without speaking German?
Yes, in practice. Most non-German speakers either use a Steuerberater who files on their behalf, or English-language accounting software that transmits through ELSTER's official technical channel.
Do I need my own ELSTER account if my Steuerberater files for me?
It's still worth having one. Notices from the Finanzamt sometimes arrive there, and your own account lets you grant your Steuerberater electronic power of attorney.
Is it legal to self-file without a tax advisor?
Yes. There is no legal requirement to use a Steuerberater for most filings — the complexity of the forms is the practical reason most businesses use one, not a legal obligation.
What happens if a form genuinely has no English explanation anywhere?
This happens more with annual returns and less-common forms than routine ones. A short paid consultation with a Steuerberater to clarify just that one form is usually cheaper than guessing.