Question 1

What is ELSTER and how does SteuerPilot integrate with it?

Accepted Answer

ELSTER (Elektronische Steuererklärung) is Germany's official online tax portal managed by the tax authorities. SteuerPilot generates ELSTER-compatible XML files that you can upload directly to the ELSTER portal. This means you can prepare your Steuererklärung in our user-friendly interface and then submit it through the official government system. We support all common tax forms including ESt (income tax), UStVA (VAT advance return), and Jahresübersicht (annual summary).

Question 2

Do I need a Steuer-ID (Tax ID) to use SteuerPilot?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you'll need your Steuer-ID (Tax Identification Number) to submit tax returns through ELSTER. However, you can start using SteuerPilot to organize documents and track deadlines even before you have your Steuer-ID. Once you receive your Steuer-ID from the Finanzamt (tax office), you can add it to your account and begin exporting to ELSTER. If you're an expat and don't have a Steuer-ID yet, we provide guidance on how to obtain one.

Question 3

How does Umsatzsteuer (VAT) tracking work?

Accepted Answer

SteuerPilot automatically tracks input VAT (Vorsteuer) and output VAT (Umsatzsteuer) from your invoices and receipts. For businesses using the standard VAT system, we calculate your monthly or quarterly Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (VAT advance return). If you qualify for the Kleinunternehmerregelung (small business regulation), we help you track your revenue to ensure you stay under the €22,000 annual threshold. All calculations follow German tax law and are ready for export to ELSTER.

Question 4

What are the tax deadlines I need to know about?

Accepted Answer

Key deadlines include: Steuererklärung (income tax return) due May 31st of the following year (or extended to December 31st with a Steuerberater), Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (VAT advance return) monthly or quarterly depending on your business size, and Jahresübersicht (annual summary) by February 28th. SteuerPilot automatically calculates these deadlines based on your business type and sends reminders via email and in-app notifications. You can also set custom reminders for other tax obligations.

Question 5

Can I use SteuerPilot if I'm a freelancer (Freiberufler)?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! SteuerPilot is perfect for freelancers. We support Einnahmen-Überschuss-Rechnung (EÜR - income surplus calculation), which is the standard method for freelancers. You can track business expenses, upload receipts, and generate the necessary reports for your Steuererklärung. The Freelancer plan includes all features you need, including ELSTER export and deadline tracking.

Question 6

How does document capture work? Can I upload digital receipts?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can upload documents in multiple ways: take a photo with our mobile app, forward emails with receipts/invoices to your SteuerPilot inbox, drag and drop PDFs on the web interface, or use our browser extension to save receipts from online purchases. Our AI automatically extracts key information (date, amount, VAT, vendor) and categorizes documents. Digital receipts (Belege) are fully accepted by German tax authorities as long as they meet certain requirements, which we help you verify.

Question 7

Is my data secure and GDPR compliant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, security and GDPR compliance are our top priorities. All data is encrypted with AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.3 in transit. We store data exclusively in EU data centers (Germany), ensuring no data leaves the European Union. We are fully GDPR compliant and you have full control over your data: access, modify, export, or delete it at any time. We never sell your data to third parties. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Question 8

How does collaboration with my Steuerberater (tax advisor) work?

Accepted Answer

You can invite your Steuerberater to access your account securely. They get read-only access to your documents and can add comments, request additional documents, and prepare your Steuererklärung directly in the platform. All communication happens within SteuerPilot, eliminating email chains and USB stick transfers. Your advisor can see deadlines, review categorized documents, and export data in formats they need. This is included in Small Business and Advisor Connect plans.

Question 9

What happens if I miss a tax deadline?

Accepted Answer

While SteuerPilot sends multiple reminders, missing a deadline can result in penalties (Verspätungszuschlag) from the Finanzamt. If you realize you've missed a deadline, we help you prepare and submit the return as quickly as possible. However, we strongly recommend setting up all reminders and checking your account regularly. For critical deadlines like Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung, we send reminders 14 days, 7 days, 3 days, and 1 day before the deadline.

Question 10

Can I use SteuerPilot for multiple tax years?

Accepted Answer

Yes! SteuerPilot maintains your complete tax history. You can access documents and data from previous years, which is especially useful for audits or when preparing multi-year tax returns. All data is retained according to German tax law requirements (typically 10 years for business documents). You can filter by tax year, export historical data, and maintain separate folders for different years.

Question 11

Do you support English language interface?

Accepted Answer

Yes! SteuerPilot's interface is available in English, making it accessible to expats and international freelancers. However, we use German tax terminology (like Steuererklärung, Umsatzsteuer, ELSTER) where appropriate, as these are the official terms you'll encounter when dealing with German tax authorities. We provide tooltips and explanations for German tax concepts throughout the interface.

Question 12

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), SEPA direct debit for EU customers, and bank transfers. All payments are processed securely through PCI-compliant payment processors. You can change or cancel your subscription at any time. The 14-day free trial requires no payment method—you only enter payment details if you decide to continue after the trial.

Master Your German Tax Workflow

Tax Management Shouldn't Be This Hard

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Everything You Need for German Tax Management

ELSTER Integration

Deadline Management

Smart Document Capture

Advisor Collaboration

VAT/Umsatzsteuer Tracking

How It Works

Upload Your Documents

AI Categorizes Automatically

Track Deadlines & Export to ELSTER

Collaborate with Your Advisor

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Freelancer

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Advisor Connect

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