Is there a way to submit the income tax return electronically?
May 8, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Andreas Stricker
Dear tax consultant,
My name is Hilde Schröder and I am faced with the problem of submitting my income tax return. So far, I have always completed this process in paper form, but I have heard that there is now also the option to submit the tax return electronically. Since I am very busy professionally and have little time, it would be extremely convenient for me if I could take this step digitally.
Currently, I work full-time as an employee and also have some additional income from freelance work. My tax documents are all complete and I have already filled out all the necessary forms. However, I am unsure about how exactly to submit electronically and if there are any specific things I need to consider.
My biggest concern is making mistakes during electronic submission that could negatively impact my tax assessment later on. Therefore, I would like to know if there is a way to submit the income tax return electronically without risking errors. Are there specific programs or platforms that can help me, and what exact steps do I need to follow to submit the tax documents correctly?
I would be very grateful if you could assist me with this issue and provide me with possible solutions. Thank you in advance for your support.
Sincerely,
Hilde Schröder
Dear Mrs. Schröder,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the electronic submission of your income tax return. I am pleased that you are looking into this topic and would like to take advantage of the benefits of digital submission. I am happy to help you avoid potential errors and submit your tax documents correctly.
First and foremost, it is important to know that electronic submission of the income tax return is now widely used and offers many advantages. Through electronic transmission, any errors can be detected and corrected more quickly, and the processing of the tax return is usually much faster than with the paper-based option.
To submit your income tax return electronically, you will need suitable software or an online platform recognized by the tax office. A popular and widely used software, for example, is Elster (Electronic Tax Return), which is offered free of charge by the Federal Central Tax Office. With Elster, you can easily and securely submit your tax return electronically.
Before submitting your tax documents, make sure that all information is complete and correct. Check your entries carefully and make sure that all required documents and evidence are attached. If you are unsure whether you have provided all relevant information correctly, I recommend seeking advice from a tax advisor or a wage tax assistance association to avoid potential errors.
Additionally, it is advisable to be informed in advance about the deadline for submitting the income tax return to avoid any delays and associated penalties. The deadline for submitting the tax return is usually on July 31 of the following year, but in some cases this deadline can be extended.
In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that electronic submission of the income tax return is very secure and efficient nowadays. With proper preparation and careful review of your information, you can avoid errors and submit your tax documents correctly. If you have any questions or uncertainties, I am here to help and support you with your concerns.
I hope that this information has been helpful to you and wish you success in the electronic submission of your income tax return.
Best regards,
Andreas Stricker, Tax Advisor
