How do I submit my tax return to the tax office?

Your data is transferred securely and electronically encrypted directly to the tax office – either:

• With your personal Elster certificate
• Or with the portal certificate from Lohnsteuer kompakt

Alternatively, you can still submit a paper version with electronic data transfer followed by a signature. In this case, send the signed printout of your tax return along with the required documents by post to your tax office.

Your submission options at a glance:

1. Online submission with own certificate
   Submit your tax return completely online with your personal Elster certificate. No additional postal delivery is required.
2. Online submission with identification
   Submit your tax return online without your own certificate. No postal delivery is required here either.

Important note:

The tax authorities no longer accept paper submissions from the 2021 tax year. Please use one of the convenient online submission options.

Further information:

• The choice of submission method does not affect the costs at Lohnsteuer kompakt.
• Lohnsteuer kompakt will automatically inform you which legally required documents must also be submitted by post.