How can I submit my tax return digitally?
April 19, 2024 | 50,00 EUR | answered by Lilli Reuter
Dear tax lawyer,
my name is Andreas Fischer and I have a question regarding the submission of my tax return. So far, I have always submitted my tax return in paper form the traditional way. However, I would like to switch to digital submission, as it seems to be more efficient and time-saving.
My current situation is as follows: I have collected and organized all the necessary documents such as salary statements, receipts for business expenses, and other tax-relevant documents. Now I am faced with the question of how to submit these documents digitally. I am unsure whether I should do this through the Elster portal or if there are other options.
My concern is that I might make a mistake and face problems with the tax office. I want to ensure that my tax return is submitted correctly and on time. Therefore, it would be important for me to know what specific steps I need to take to submit my tax return digitally.
Can you please explain to me how I can submit my tax return digitally? Are there any particularities or pitfalls that I should be aware of? What are the advantages of digital submission compared to paper form? I would be very grateful for your support and expertise in this matter.
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Andreas Fischer
Dear Mr. Fischer,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the digital submission of your tax return. It is commendable that you want to take the step towards efficiency and time savings. Digital submission does indeed offer several advantages over the traditional paper form. I will explain in detail below how you can submit your tax return digitally and what you should pay attention to.
First and foremost, the Elster portal is the most common and recommended way to submit your tax return digitally. Elster stands for "Electronic Tax Return" and is provided by the Federal Central Tax Office. You need to register on the Elster website and then you will have access to a secure portal through which you can electronically transmit your tax return. There, you can also enter, save, and review your data before submitting it.
Before you start with the digital submission, make sure you have all the necessary documents complete and correct. This includes salary statements, receipts for business expenses, donation receipts, and other tax-relevant documents. You can scan these or upload them as PDF files.
It is important to carefully review your information before submitting the tax return. Errors or inconsistencies could lead to inquiries from the tax office and delay the process. Therefore, I recommend taking sufficient time and seeking help from a tax advisor if necessary.
The benefits of digital submission include faster processing by the tax office, the option of electronically transmitting data, and the convenient handling of the tax return. Additionally, there is less paperwork and you have the ability to view the processing status of your tax return online.
In summary, submitting your tax return digitally via the Elster portal is a good and secure way to save time and hassle. Make sure to upload all necessary documents correctly and completely and review your information before submitting. If you have any questions or uncertainties, I am happy to help.
I hope this information was helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Lilli Reuter, Tax Law Attorney
