What should I do if I have forgotten my password for the certificate?

Without your personal password (PIN), you cannot use the function of online submission with a personal certificate at Lohnsteuer kompakt. In this case, you have the option of renewing your access data via the Elster website. You will then be able to log back into your account and retrieve data that has already been saved.

Since a new authentication for Elster Online costs you time and nerves, it is advisable to try entering the PIN until the PIN is correct. This is only possible if you log in with a certificate file (file extension ".pfx"). With a certificate file, your account is not blocked and you can try to enter the PIN as many times as necessary.

Renewing your access data (certificate file and PIN)

If you need to renew your account, go to the Elster website Probleme beim Einloggen?(Problems logging in?). After you have successfully applied for a renewed access, new activation data will be sent to you and - similar to a registration - you will receive complete new access data at the end. For the security of your data, you will receive an activation ID by e-mail and separately an activation code by post. Please note that the delivery of the activation code may take several days.

During access renewal, you have the option of revoking the current certificate. The revocation deactivates access to your user account. After completion of the access renewal, you will receive a new certificate by entering the activation data with which a login is possible again. The revoked certificate remains revoked and cannot be reactivated.