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Tax Return Setup: What to Do Before Filing

Set up ELSTER early and align with the statutory deadline before you file.

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Quick Start

Follow these first actions before reading the full guide. Most users resolve 80% of confusion with these steps.

1
Create and verify your ELSTER account well before the deadline.
2
Collect income statements, insurance documents, and receipts.
3
Track the statutory deadline (seven months after year end).

Step-by-step plan

  1. 1

    Create and verify your ELSTER account well before the deadline.

  2. 2

    Collect income statements, insurance documents, and receipts.

  3. 3

    Track the statutory deadline (seven months after year end).

  4. 4

    If using an advisor, confirm the extended deadline early.

Key context

ELSTER is the official portal for online tax filing.
The statutory deadline is defined in the tax code.

Costs

ELSTER is free; advisors charge separate fees.

Local notes

Deadlines can shift with special legislation, so verify annually.

Risk checks

!Waiting until the last week to activate ELSTER.
!Missing the deadline without requesting an extension.

Official sources

We review this guide regularly and refresh it when official rules change.

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