Overview
- Eligible taxpayers can now register in the MeinELSTER+ app after Tuesday, March 31's launch, with one-click submission set to start in July.
- The first wave covers single, childless employees and retirees without extra income, a group officials say includes about 11 to 11.5 million people.
- The app delivers a ready return based on 2025 data already held by tax offices and shows a preview of the assessment so users can edit and then submit from a phone.
- Lohnsteuerhilfe groups and the taxpayers’ association warn that unchecked submissions may miss items like higher work expenses, travel, donations, medical bills, or household and handyman costs, which could cut refunds.
- Bavaria built the feature for the federal–state project and it works nationwide, with phased expansion planned and a Hesse pilot showing high passive acceptance of auto-prepared returns.