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Tax declaration via 'One Click' launches July 1
🇩🇪 Germany /Technology

Tax declaration via 'One Click' launches July 1

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Germany is launching a new "One Click" tax declaration feature on July 1, allowing eligible taxpayers to submit their returns via smartphone with minimal effort.
  • Initially, the feature will be available to single, childless employees and recipients of retirement income, with plans to expand to other user groups soon.
  • While praised for simplifying bureaucracy, some tax advisory services warn that users might miss out on potential tax savings due to the app's limited guidance.

Starting July 1, Germany is introducing a simplified tax declaration process, dubbed "One Click," which allows eligible taxpayers to submit their returns using a smartphone with significantly reduced effort. Developed and programmed by Bavaria on behalf of federal and state governments, this new function will be integrated into the "MeinELSTER+" app, the same platform used for general tax declarations via the established Elster application.

We are bringing the tax declaration to where people want to do it: uncomplicated, fast, secure, and fully digital via the 'MeinELSTER+' app. We want to continue to optimize and expand our 'ELSTER' offering.

— Albert FürackerAlbert Füracker, Bavaria's Finance Minister, explaining the rationale and goals behind the new 'One Click' tax declaration feature.

Initially, the "One Click" feature will benefit approximately 11.5 million taxpayers, primarily single individuals without children who are employees, as well as those receiving retirement income. Bavarian Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU) highlighted the initiative's goal: "We are bringing the tax declaration to where people want to do it: uncomplicated, fast, secure, and fully digital via the 'MeinELSTER+' app." He added that further services and user groups are already planned for rapid implementation.

Finance ministers from other states have lauded the new system. Baden-Württemberg's Danyal Bayaz (Greens) stated it saves "time, nerves, and unnecessary bureaucracy," demonstrating how a modern state can "think along and make it easy for people." Marcus Optendrenk (CDU) of North Rhine-Westphalia described it as "easier than ever before" for many, while Lower Saxony's Gerald Heere (Greens) noted its convenience for users accustomed to managing tasks on their smartphones.

Time, nerves, and unnecessary bureaucracy are saved. This is how people can tangibly experience in everyday life what a modern state can achieve: It thinks along and makes things easy for people.

— Danyal BayazDanyal Bayaz, Finance Minister of Baden-Württemberg, praising the new tax declaration feature for its user-friendliness and efficiency.

However, the new system is not without its critics. Some wage tax assistance associations have raised concerns that the "One Click" process might inadvertently lead to financial disadvantages for users. They warn that the app may not adequately prompt users about potential tax-saving opportunities, potentially causing them to overlook deductions they might otherwise claim.

With this offer, we are bringing the tax declaration to where people already do many things today: onto their own smartphone.

— Gerald HeereGerald Heere, Finance Minister of Lower Saxony, emphasizing the convenience of the new mobile tax declaration service.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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