ELSTER registration for the self-employed: step by step

Without ELSTER almost nothing works for the self-employed in Germany: the tax registration questionnaire, VAT advance returns and annual tax returns must be filed electronically. The free portal is called “Mein ELSTER”, and you must register before using it.

What you need

• Tax ID (for a personal account) – or the tax number for a business account.
• E-mail address for the activation link.
• Date of birth and your postal address as known to the tax office.

For sole traders a personal account with the tax ID is usually enough. No tax ID yet? Read our article on the tax ID first.

Registration in three steps

• 1. Enter your data on elster.de (“create user account”) and choose a login method. You receive an e-mail with an activation ID.
• 2. Wait for the letter: the activation code is posted to the address the tax office has on file – usually within one to two weeks, longer abroad.
• 3. Activate your account with ID and code.

Certificate file or app?

You can log in with a certificate file (a password-protected file you must store safely), the ElsterSecure app or the German eID. The certificate file is most common. Keep a backup – if it is lost, you must register again.

ELSTER when living abroad

Registration also works if you do not live in Germany. What matters is that the activation letter reaches you at the address the tax office knows – for example a German business address you gave as your postal address.

Common problems

• Letter does not arrive: check your address and request a new code.
• Forgotten password: the certificate file is useless without it.
• Wrong number: do not mix up tax ID and tax number – see tax number and VAT ID.

Read your activation letter the same day

With our business address we receive your ELSTER letter, scan it the same day and you can activate your account immediately.