Software for tax return: Why Elster is worse – THE WORLD

Many go in the spring to the tax office, to a pack pick forms on gray-green paper and book a weekend to write in shoe boxes or folders collected documents in the tax return. Faster than with pen and paper, it is but the computer -. Either with purchased software or the free Elster program financial management

time can be about the save pre-filled electronic tax returns. Their basic idea is that the tax office some information, such as address, bank details or number of children present and others like income tax and health insurance are received electronically. To use it all, but you have to be registered once under Elsteronline.de and have applied for an electronic certificate.

“But the tax office does not know everything “warns Markus Fischer of the Stiftung Warentest. Therefore, no one should simply hand the pre-filled statement, but to supplement it by the information, allow easy save taxes. “These are, for example, travel costs, expenses for child care or craftsmen.”

Elster makes many mistakes

who uses the software of the tax authorities,” need to know where the information to be made, “explains Fischer. “Elster does not help one in the tax return, whereas commercial software has this claim.” As with the help apps insist their basic idea is, the user to ask the right questions.

The fact that this difference can cost money, shows an attempt at ” computer image “: readers sat under the supervision of the computer and entered their tax data. “Allen reckoned Elster a lower tax refund than the commercial programs” summarizes “Computer Bild” editor André Hesel together the result.

Another Magpie criticism: “Some data has been entered incorrectly due to lack of user guidance.” In addition, purchase programs experienced Packages about checking account out -. Not Elster

“Elster is not intuitive to use,” confirms “financial test” expert fisherman. Who is but already become sooner finished the forms come with Elster clearly and save time and paper. So fewer documents must be sent to the authority about transmission by electronic means. And if the digital statement has arrived in time to the tax office server, missing documents may also be submitted later.

Digital and paper simultaneously

who’s afraid to bring electronic perhaps rashly false information on the way, completed with control software forms can continue to print, read carefully, think again about sleep and even proposed still personally at the tax office. Both can also be combined, explains André Hesel.

The data could be sent digitally to the tax office without a certificate, and a compressed tax return on paper will be submitted later. However, in this case, not the electronic submission, but the receipt of the paper declaration to the tax office is crucial for the deadline.

On the skills of an accountant comes in the opinion of Fischer and Hesel even the best software can not zoom. Worthwhile the Consult the professionals is especially true when it comes to commercial or self-employment.

Many homeowners who feed with a photovoltaic system power, is about not aware that this meant business income, says Anne Kathrin Wernsdorf, Speaker in Steuerberaterverband. And self-employed offers an accountant addition business advice.

“However, is considered by many workers that a tax advisor about the amount costs, he saves” says editor Hesel. “Anyone who is unsure what he is doing and write in need, can also contact a Lohnsteuerhilfeverein” adds Fischer. United are the two in another point: It is worthwhile almost always to make a tax return

Many programs check for errors

For those who are of not convinced Fischer has a peace of mind: “If you voluntarily file a tax return, and there is still a payment, you can even withdraw.”

the price of the tax aid to the PC is approximately between 15 and 40 euros. Who wants to save that sum this year and once again use the program from 2015, will be disappointed. On the one hand respect the provider that they produced results can be characterized as a tax return in 2016 only with the current software.

And besides, there is every year changes, which concern not only individual groups, but all taxpayers, emphasized André Hesel of the “Computer Image”. With the making of the declarations of the job of the purchased software is not over yet: Many programs can analyze the electronic tax bill

Discover, error for many. individual cases matching sample letters available with which simple opposition to the tax office may be charged explains Hesel. “Some programs are more than 200.”