2024-06-03 11:21:53
For many individuals, submitting a tax return is a tedious however essential evil. Tax applications are designed to make the duty simpler and work reliably. In response to Stiftung Warentest, software program that works on a PC, in a browser, and as an app is unbeatable.
Crucial issues at a look
In response to the business affiliation Bitkom, virtually 1 / 4 of all Germans who filed a tax return with the tax workplace in 2023 used tax software program to take action. A minimum of eight p.c submitted their return by way of an app or browser program. And the pattern is rising. However which tax software program is dependable, quick and straightforward to make use of?
To research this query, Stiftung Warentest has once more examined tax applications for the “Finanztest” concern 05/2024. The examiners discovered that PC software program specifically makes tax returns simpler, though there’s a program that can also be forward within the browser and as an app. We current the outcomes and take a look at winners.
Tax applications examined: That is how Stiftung Warentest exams
For its examine, Stiftung Warentest examined 31 tax software program applications, together with applications for desktops and browsers in addition to cell apps. All of them are appropriate for workers, college students and retired folks. The software program examined consists of well-known tax applications corresponding to WISO from Buhl, Taxman from Lexware, Smartsteuer and Taxfix.
Within the take a look at, the examiners pay specific consideration to the right calculation of the tax and data. The person steering of the tax software program can also be vital to them. The service for tax questions and the fundamental safety of private information are additionally included within the total ranking. Lastly, Stiftung Warentest additionally appears to be like for deficiencies within the common phrases and situations.
The outcomes of the tax program take a look at at a look
The take a look at outcomes are very totally different: When you do your tax return on a PC, you could have a free alternative, as a result of all six of the downloadable software program applications examined are really useful. Relating to browser applications, solely three out of 9 satisfied the examiners. The state of affairs is even worse for cell apps: just one program acquired a “good” total ranking; one even failed with a “poor” ranking.
The take a look at winner in all three variants is the software program WISO Tax from Buhl Knowledge ServiceAs a pc obtain, it acquired the “Finanztest” high quality ranking of “superb (1.3)” from Stiftung Warentest. The marks for the browser program and the app are barely worse, but additionally the perfect of their take a look at discipline.
Simply behind WISO Steuer, with a grade of “superb (1.4)”, is the PC obtain program Tax from the identical supplier. Since it’s considerably cheaper, the testers awarded it the price-performance winner.
Even cheaper is the “good” Taxeasy of the Educational Working Group (1.9) in fourth place. And the tax programme Taxman by Lexware achieved a “good” total ranking (2.2). Different really useful laptop applications embody two different software program from this supplier.
You’ll be able to learn all the outcomes of the Stiftung Warentest tax program take a look at within the “Finanztest” concern 05/2024.
Because the take a look at outcomes for obtain software program are the perfect, we’ll introduce you to 4 of those management applications in additional element:
The take a look at winner: Tax program WISO Steuer from Buhl Knowledge Service
The take a look at consequence: With an total ranking of “superb (1.3)”, the WISO tax software program is the take a look at winner. It even acquired the highest ranking of “superb (1.0)” for proper tax calculation and this system additionally impressed in all different take a look at factors. It solely falls quick in the case of service for tax questions.
Good to know: WISO Steuer from Buhl Knowledge Providers will not be solely on the forefront of PC software program, but additionally secures the take a look at victory amongst browser applications and cell apps.
Product particulars: With the WISO tax program, you may full tax returns for every type of earnings for workers, self-employed folks, pensioners, and so on. Along with the earnings tax return, the software program from Buhl Knowledge Providers additionally data taxes for severance funds, inheritances, automobile taxes, Riester and extra. Advance VAT returns, gross sales tax and commerce tax returns are additionally included.
In case your information has already been entered within the earlier 12 months’s software program or the digital Elster type, it is going to be transferred instantly. In any other case, this system will information you thru the tax return with clear questions. You’ll be able to add receipts instantly or scan them utilizing your smartphone and save them within the cloud. You probably have any questions, free phone help is on the market.
Whenever you buy WISO Steuer, 5 taxes are included, which implies that a number of folks can use this system.
Good to know: This tax software program not solely impresses Stiftung Warentest. It was additionally named the winner in tax program exams by “Focus Cash”, “Laptop Bild” and “Chip”.
Worth-performance winner: Tax software program from Buhl Knowledge Service
The take a look at consequence: With the “Finanztest” high quality ranking of “superb (1.4)”, the Tax software program lands simply behind the take a look at winner from the identical supplier. It’s simply nearly as good as WISO Steuer in virtually all take a look at factors, with solely minor deductions for dealing with. Nevertheless, the tax program is considerably cheaper and is subsequently the price-performance winner of the Stiftung Warentest.
Product particulars: The comparatively cheap tax software program Tax additionally comes from the WISO supplier Buhl Knowledge. It’s appropriate for workers, employees, self-employed folks and pensioners, amongst others, and comes with a tax information.
Due to the intuitive and clear person interface with automated information entry, this system makes finishing tax returns fast and straightforward. Actual-time checks are carried out throughout information entry in order that errors will be recognized and corrected instantly. The anticipated refund is then calculated.
The switch to the tax workplace is finished digitally with Elster. Alternatively, you may print out the kinds and ship them by put up. With the acquisition, you obtain the license for 5 submissions, in order that the entire household can full the tax return with one program.
Worth tip: Steuereasy from the Educational Working Group
The take a look at consequence: The pc program Steuereasy acquired a ranking of “good (1.9)” from Stiftung Warentest, securing fourth place. Its tax calculation is “superb” and whereas it’s weaker when it comes to person steering in comparison with the Buhl applications, it’s considerably higher when it comes to service for tax questions. On the similar time, it’s the least expensive tax program within the take a look at.
Product particulars: In response to the supplier, Steuereasy for the 2023 tax 12 months is especially appropriate for easy tax circumstances. Nonetheless, it may be utilized by all taxpayers, corresponding to workers and college students – however just for earnings from employment. This can be a distinction to the tax applications of the competitors. As well as, solely two taxes are included, which needs to be enough in most households.
It’s straightforward to make use of: if you want, you will be guided by means of the tax return in interview mode and accompanied by clever assistants for financial savings suggestions. There may be additionally an digital tax auditor that checks all the data earlier than the return is shipped to the tax workplace by way of Elster. The Educational Working Group additionally features a tax information as a PDF with its software program.
With the perfect information safety: Taxman from Lexware
The take a look at consequence: The tax software program Taxman is standard and achieved an total ranking of “good (2.2)” within the take a look at. This places it in joint fifth place among the many obtain applications. It achieved “good” and even “superb” scores in virtually all take a look at factors. It even acquired the highest ranking of 1.0 for fundamental safety of private information. Nevertheless, the extra difficult dealing with ends in deductions.
Product particulars: The Taxman tax program is appropriate for workers, pensioners, buyers, owners, cross-border commuters and job seekers, amongst others. It consists of all kinds and attachments for the earnings tax return in addition to a journey expense calculator, EÜR and the wage tax discount software.
Like its rivals, it guides you step-by-step by means of the tax return, reveals you the way to save cash, and checks the accuracy and completeness of the information after it has been entered. When making ready your tax return, a dynamic enter assistant, which explains the place to search out data, and a receipt supervisor are useful.
The switch to the tax workplace takes place by way of Elster. You’ll be able to submit as much as 5 tax returns by buying the software program.
Our conclusion on the tax program take a look at
Stiftung Warentest attracts a combined conclusion: Many of the really useful tax applications are nonetheless out there for the PC. However there may be additionally software program for the browser and as an app that simplifies the tax return, though to a a lot lesser extent. This system WISO Tax: The take a look at winner was capable of persuade the testers throughout the board and is subsequently additionally our favourite.
Issues to find out about tax applications and tax returns
How does tax software program work?
In precept, tax applications work in the identical manner as tax returns on paper or with Elster: First, all vital data corresponding to earnings and bills is entered, then the software program calculates the anticipated refund or extra cost. Lastly, the tax return is shipped to the tax workplace, often digitally.
In comparison with Elster or conventional kinds, tax applications additionally present recommendations on saving and are straightforward to know even for laypeople. They information you step-by-step by means of the tax return and supply recommendations on potential financial savings. Additionally they make sure that all related kinds are stuffed out.
Nevertheless, in response to Stiftung Warentest, you as a person should in fact have an summary of your earnings and bills so as to get probably the most out of the applications’ assist. If you wish to hand over the work utterly, it’s higher to go to a tax advisor.
What’s Elster?
Elster, the net portal of the tax administration, permits you to full tax returns freed from cost and instantly on the Web. The service stands for “digital tax returns” and doesn’t require a separate software program obtain.
Though Elster supplies assist with filling out the shape and a receipt retrieval service, customers ought to be aware that it doesn’t supply any recommendation on tax financial savings. As soon as the entries have been accomplished, Elster calculates an anticipated refund or extra cost so that you just obtain an preliminary evaluation of your tax state of affairs.
Elster is a sensible resolution, particularly for easy tax circumstances. In additional complicated circumstances, nonetheless, it might make sense to spend money on specialised software program or to rent a tax advisor.
When should the tax return for 2023 be submitted?
The tax return for the 2023 tax 12 months have to be submitted by August 31, 2024. Nevertheless, since at the present time falls on a Saturday, the deadline is postponed to the next working day, i.e. Monday, September 2, 2024. If the tax return is submitted later, there’s a threat of a late cost surcharge.