Can I also submit my annual financial statement electronically to the tax office?
November 20, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Alice Heck
Dear Tax Advisor,
I am Lukas Blumberg and I run a small business. In the past, I have always submitted my annual accounts in paper form to the tax office. Now I am wondering if it is also possible to transmit the annual accounts electronically. I am unsure if this is legally permissible and what requirements need to be met.
Currently, I am no longer satisfied with the manual preparation and postal delivery of my annual accounts. It takes up a lot of my time and resources that I would rather invest in my business. Additionally, I imagine that electronically transmitting the annual accounts would be more efficient and faster.
My concern is that I might make mistakes or overlook something when submitting the annual accounts electronically. I want to ensure that all legal requirements are met and that no disadvantages arise for my business.
Therefore, my question is: Can I submit my annual accounts electronically to the tax office? What steps are necessary for this and what requirements must I meet? Are there any specific programs or software that can help me with this? I would like to know what options are available to optimize and simplify the process of submitting annual accounts.
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Best regards,
Lukas Blumberg
Dear Mr. Blumberg,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the electronic submission of the annual financial statements. I am glad that you are considering ways to make the process more efficient. In fact, it is possible to submit the annual financial statements electronically to the tax office. This is legally allowed in Germany and is even recommended as it offers many advantages.
In order to submit your annual financial statements electronically, certain requirements must be met. Firstly, you need an electronic signature that ensures your identity and the authenticity of the transmitted data. This signature can be obtained either through a certificate from a certification authority or by using an electronic ID card.
Furthermore, you need suitable software that enables you to create and transmit the annual financial statements in an electronic format. There are specific programs tailored to the creation of electronic financial statements that help you comply with legal requirements. These programs can help you avoid errors and simplify the process.
Another important aspect is meeting the technical requirements of the tax office. These requirements specify the format in which the annual financial statements must be transmitted and which additional documents are necessary. It is important to familiarize yourself with these requirements beforehand to ensure that the electronic annual financial statements are transmitted correctly.
Overall, electronic submission of the annual financial statements offers many advantages, such as faster processing by the tax office, higher data security, and cost savings on postage and paper. Therefore, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the technical and legal aspects and seek professional support if needed to optimize the process of electronic submission of annual financial statements.
I hope this information has been helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Alice Heck
