General – founding & basics · 1.8
What is ELSTER, and how does my GmbH get an account?
Short answer
ELSTER is the online tax portal of the German tax authorities. Your UG or GmbH must submit tax returns and advance tax returns electronically, either via ELSTER itself or through software integrated with ELSTER. Registration is free and proceeds in two phases, because a newly formed company does not initially have a tax number.
Key points
- The login credentials arrive in two steps. Therefore, start early, ideally around the time of incorporation.
- Phase 1 – without a tax number: You register an account via email. This is also possible for a company you represent. With this, you can only submit the tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung).
- Phase 2 – with a tax number: As soon as the tax number arrives by mail, you upgrade the account in Mein ELSTER. From then on, advance tax returns and annual tax returns are also supported.
- You can log in, for example, using a certificate file and a password.
Treat the certificate file and password like keys to the company: store them securely, do not share them, and keep a record of where the access credentials are kept.
Legal basis
Continue
- Next video: Which tax office is responsible for my GmbH?
- Related: Tax Registration Questionnaire Step by Step: How to Complete It for Your GmbH
With Pluto
← Back to topicPluto transmits your advance tax returns via the ELSTER interface, so you do not need to log into ELSTER every time.
Try it for free