A mobile-first German tax-filing app that guides you through your Steuererklärung in English with a usage-based fee when you submit.
A free filing flow in English, a free Tax Optimisation Report, and a path to a matched English-speaking Steuerberater when your case needs one. Built for internationals whose financial life extends beyond a single return.
Different tools for different situations. Factual differences, no winner declared.
| Feature | Taxfix | Financemate |
|---|---|---|
| English support | Yes | Yes |
| Price to file | Around €40 per submission (employees) | Free |
| Lohnsteuerbescheinigung OCR | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Optimisation Report | No | Yes |
| Matched Steuerberater for complex cases | No | Yes |
| Rental income support (self-serve) | Partial | Via matched advisor |
| Freelance / self-employed (self-serve) | Paid tiers | Via matched advisor |
| Integrates with broader financial planning | No | Yes |
| Signs off on your return | No | No |
Comparison based on publicly available information at time of writing. Individual situations vary. For personalised advice, consult a licensed Steuerberater.
Taxfix lets you prepare your return for free, but submission typically costs around €40 for employees. Higher-complexity returns sit in paid tiers. Check taxfix.de for the most current pricing.
Filing your return through Financemate is free, and so is the Tax Optimisation Report. If you use our matched-advisor path, Steuerberater fees are set by the advisor and disclosed up front.
Taxfix offers paid tiers that cover some freelance scenarios. Financemate routes freelance, rental, and joint-filing cases to a matched Steuerberater rather than self-serve filing, so they are handled correctly from the start.
Both submit your return electronically via ELSTER, the official German tax portal. In Financemate's case, submission runs through a licensed German tax-tech partner.
Not always. For many employed internationals with a simple situation, software is enough. For rental income, freelance work, crypto, RSUs, or anything cross-border, a Steuerberater is usually worth it. Financemate bundles that handoff into the same flow.
Both operate under German and EU data protection rules. Submissions run through ELSTER. Financemate stores your documents in Germany with encryption in transit and at rest.
You can still upload your Steuerbescheid to Financemate once it arrives to get the free Tax Optimisation Report. The report works off the finished filing, wherever you filed it.
It depends on your situation. Taxfix is a focused filing tool with a paid submission model. Financemate is free to file, includes a Tax Optimisation Report, and offers an advisor match for complex cases. Read both sections above and pick whichever fits how you think about your taxes.