Your tax position, finally in plain English.
File your German tax return for free. Get a Tax Optimisation Report in two minutes. Get matched with an English-speaking Steuerberater when your case needs one.
Why we built this
Three things we believe about taxes for internationals in Germany.
What you get
Three things, all in one place, all in English.
A Tax Optimisation Report in two minutes.
Upload your Steuerbescheid or finish a filing, and we turn your actual numbers into a personalised view of your tax position.
- Your marginal tax rate, written down
- Deduction patterns, quick wins, and longer-term levers
- Real estate, pension, and investment angles where they apply
Figures are illustrative. For personalised advice, speak with a Steuerberater.
Your German tax return, in English.
One question at a time, in plain English. Upload your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung and we OCR it for you. Submitted through the official ELSTER interface.
- Live refund or payment estimate as you answer
- Every German term explained inline
- Submission via a licensed German tax-tech partner
Self-serve is currently for employees with a single filing status earning income in Germany.
Real people. English-speaking. When you need one.
Our Steuerberater network is small on purpose. Every advisor is registered with their Steuerberaterkammer, speaks fluent English, and has handled cases like yours before.
- Vetted for English fluency, not just availability
- Specialists in rental income, freelance, RSUs, and cross-border cases
- Fees set by the advisor, disclosed before you engage
What you actually see when it lands.
The Tax Optimisation Report walks you through four chapters, built from your Steuerbescheid or a completed filing.
Adjustments that take 30 minutes or less.
Small moves that most people in Germany overlook. Pension top-ups, charitable deductions, household services credits, itemised work expenses.
Levers for when things get more complex.
Strategies we flag for discussion with a Steuerberater, not as self-serve moves. Useful if your income or holdings have grown.
What it compounds to over 10 years.
Your report ends with a projection: how consistent use of the levers in the report could add up, year by year, based on your actual numbers.
Figures in the report are illustrative, based on your inputs and general assumptions. They do not constitute tax or financial advice. For personalised advice, consult a licensed Steuerberater.
How it works
Four steps, no German required. Start to report in about fifteen minutes.
Qualify
Answer three short questions so we can route you to the right path.
File or upload
Go through the English filing flow, or upload your Steuerbescheid if you already filed.
Get your report
Your Tax Optimisation Report lands instantly, built from your actual numbers.
Optional advisor match
If it makes sense, we introduce you to a matched English-speaking Steuerberater.
Qualify
Answer three short questions so we can route you to the right path.
File or upload
Go through the English filing flow, or upload your Steuerbescheid if you already filed.
Get your report
Your Tax Optimisation Report lands instantly, built from your actual numbers.
Optional advisor match
If it makes sense, we introduce you to a matched English-speaking Steuerberater.
How Financemate compares to other options
A factual side-by-side of the main ways internationals in Germany handle their tax return. No winner declared, pick whichever fits your situation.
| Feature | Financemate | ELSTER (DIY) | Taxfix | WunderTax | Steuerberater |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English support | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Depends on firm |
| Price to file | Free | Free | ~€40 / submission | From ~€35 / submission | €300–€1,200+ per StBVV |
| Guided question flow | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lohnsteuerbescheinigung OCR | Yes | No | Yes | Partial | Partial |
| Tax Optimisation Report | Free | No | No | No | Via paid consult |
| Handles freelance / self-employed | Via matched advisor | Yes | Paid tiers | Limited | Yes |
| Handles rental income | Via matched advisor | Yes | Partial | Limited | Yes |
| Handles joint filing (Zusammenveranlagung) | Via matched advisor | Yes | Paid tiers | Limited | Yes |
| Connects you to a Steuerberater | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Can formally sign off on your return | No | You sign yourself | No | No | Yes |
| Integrates with broader financial planning | Yes | No | No | No | Rarely |
| Full comparison | You are here | Read full comparison | Read full comparison | Read full comparison | Read full comparison |
Comparison based on publicly available information at time of writing. Individual situations vary. Prices and feature scope change; see each provider for the latest. For personalised advice, consult a licensed Steuerberater.
FAQs
The self-serve filing is currently designed for employees with a single filing status who earn their income in Germany. If your situation involves freelance or self-employed income, rental income, or joint filing (Zusammenveranlagung), you will be routed to our matched advisor flow instead, where a vetted English-speaking Steuerberater handles your case.
It is a personalised summary of your tax situation based on your Steuerbescheid or a completed filing. It shows your marginal tax rate, your deduction patterns, quick-win strategies you may have missed, and longer-term levers worth understanding, including real estate depreciation where applicable. It takes about two minutes to generate once your documents are uploaded.
Yes. Filing your German income tax return through Financemate is free, and so is the Tax Optimisation Report. If your case requires a Steuerberater, we match you with one in our network. Advisor fees are set by the advisor and disclosed before you engage.
You answer three short qualifying questions up front. If your situation is outside the self-serve scope, we introduce you to a matched English-speaking Steuerberater in our network. You get a reference number, and the advisor reaches out within 48 hours.
Your documents and data are stored in Germany, encrypted in transit and at rest. Submissions to the Finanzamt happen through a licensed German tax-tech partner over the official ELSTER interface. We do not share your data with third parties outside what is required to prepare and submit your return.
Not always. Many employed internationals with a simple situation can file themselves. A Steuerberater tends to make sense when you have freelance income, rental property, crypto or RSUs, complex international situations, or simply prefer to hand it off. The qualifier helps you figure out which path fits.
Rental income is currently handled through the advisor path rather than self-serve filing. Our network includes Steuerberater who specialise in property investment, which means depreciation, interest, and Werbungskosten get claimed properly.
Filing for the 2025 tax year opens in early 2026, following the Finanzamt schedule. You can start preparing and uploading documents as soon as you have your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung from your employer.
See the levers for your actual numbers.
Two minutes, no card, no commitment. If it turns out your case is complex, we route you to an English-speaking Steuerberater instead.