Pre-filled tax return (private individuals)

What is the pre-filled tax return?

The pre-filled tax return is a free service offered by the tax administration to make it easier for you to prepare your income tax returns.

You will be provided with the following electronic data and certificates from the last 4 years that have been sent to the tax administration about your person:

1. Master data stored with the tax authorities (name, address, bank details, religion)
2. Income tax certificates sent by the employer
3. Wage replacement benefits (e.g. unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, parental benefit)
4. Notifications regarding the receipt of pension benefits
5. Contributions to health and long-term care insurance
6. Pension expenses (for example Riester or Rürup contracts)
7. Subsidies and reimbursements from authorities / public bodies (e.g. subsidy for health insurance)
8. Contributions for capital-forming benefits (VWL / VL)
9. Investment income with exemption order

How do I use the pre-filled tax return and how do I retrieve certificates?

To be able to use the pre-filled tax return, you must retrieve your certificates. To do this, you need to register with your identification number at Mein ELSTER.

Once you have successfully completed your registration, you must also agree to retrieve the certificates in your My ELSTER user account. Alternatively, you can also use ElsterFormular or other software from commercial providers.

The data will then be available to you at the earliest one day after successful approval. You can access the data around the clock, seven days a week and repeatedly.

Any questions?

The most frequently asked questions are answered in our FAQs on the topic of retrieving certificates are answered.