The tax return is an annoying evil, but in most cases you cannot avoid it. In the meantime, however, there are some apps that can be used to complete this task relatively quickly and easily. TECHBOOK explains what the best-known tax apps can do.
ELSTER should make the tax return much easier. However, many taxpayers do not really get used to this official software from the financial administration. Too complicated, confusing and not really usable, especially on a smartphone. In addition, there is no help with problems, so if in doubt you have to consult a tax consultant again in the end. Steuerbot, Taxfix and Co. promise to guide users out of the tax jungle. But how well does that work in practice and can tax apps really replace a tax consultant?
tax fix
“Taxfix” is one of the most well-known tax apps with an intuitive user interface. There are no form fields to fill out here, instead you go through a predetermined list of questions. A major advantage of “Taxfix” is that the tax return can also be completed using a PC or notebook, because the service works equally well in the web browser.
In the free mode, the tax refund to be expected can already be calculated; fees are only incurred when the message is sent. These amount to EUR 39.99 for single people and EUR 59.99 for married couples and registered partnerships. This is undoubtedly cheaper than the tax consultant on site. However, whether the tax savings are the same depends on the specific individual case. In addition, according to the website, the self-employed or freelancers are left out, at least for the time being.
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control boat
Similar to “Taxfix”, “steuerbot” also relies on a playful chat mode to summarize all the necessary information for preparing the tax return. All data is then transmitted to the tax office via the standardized ELSTER interface. Here, too, there is a free preliminary calculation of the expected tax refund.
If you have any additional questions, support from tax experts is available and will reply within 24 hours. Advantage over “Taxfix”: For refunds of less than 100 euros, use is free of charge, provided there is no obligation to submit a tax return. All other users pay 29.95 euros per tax return, short-time workers receive a tariff discount of ten euros.
WISO tax
Buhl Data Service has been known for its “WISO” tax return software for a long time. Also in comparisons such as a financial test, the program was quite convincing in the past. A big advantage compared to other apps is that “WISO Steuer” not only runs on Android and iOS smartphones, but also on PC, Mac and in the browser. In contrast to the competition, the self-employed can also explicitly prepare their tax returns with WISO.
The app is even suitable for investors, real estate owners or retirees. In the standard version, WISO Steuer costs EUR 29.95 per tax year, and up to five declarations can be submitted. From 128.95 there is also a “Profi-Check” option, with which you can have your tax return checked by a professional.
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Account tax service
A very interesting alternative to the control apps mentioned so far is “Kontist”. The app is best known as a bank account for freelancers. For some time now, the Berliners have also been offering a personal tax service for freelancers, which you can book in the “Kontist” app in addition to your current account. However, there is a big difference to all the offers mentioned so far: You don’t have to fill out the tax return yourself, this is done by tax consultants who are specially trained for solo self-employed people.
This makes “Kontist” undoubtedly the most convenient solution among all tax apps, which is also reflected in the price. The offer includes in particular the private and business tax return, advance sales tax return and annual financial statements. It starts at 99 euros for small business owners, and there are 149 euros above that.
Is a tax app worth it?
In many aspects, “WISO Steuer” offers the best overall package among the tax apps mentioned. In terms of price, it is also comparable to “steuerbot” and “taxfix”, but explicitly also includes the self-employed as a professional group. “Taxfix” and “steuerbot”, on the other hand, are in principle only suitable for employees; standardized queries are carried out here. In more complicated tax cases, the apps quickly reach their limits. In comparison, “Kontist” is a special case, but it is by far the best solution for the self-employed, because when sales tax and depreciation are added, there is no way around a tax consultant, at least for this professional group.