Taxfix

What Taxfix does

Guided questions turn users’ answers into German personal income-tax returns, which Taxfix transmits to the tax office through ELSTER. Employees, students, retirees, new graduates and people receiving income-replacement benefits are among the listed users.

A filer may complete the return alone or provide documents so an independent, government-certified adviser can prepare and submit it. For VAT-liable sole traders and freelancers, a separate product handles income and expenses, VAT advance returns and related income-tax work.

Fees and plans

Start is free. It calculates an estimated refund; filing requires Basic. An individual Basic return costs €39.99 per year with an annual subscription and remains free until submission, or €49.99 as a one-off without a subscription. Joint Basic costs €59.99 annually with a subscription or €69.99 as a one-time payment without one. The plan descriptions also list €39.99 and €49.99 one-time individual charges, plus €59.99 and €69.99 one-time joint charges, payable on submission.

Taxfix lists Basic Einzel (Taxfix+) at €39.99 one-time per submitted individual return with a Taxfix+ subscription, and Basic Einzel without a subscription at €49.99 one-time. Basic gemeinsam (Taxfix+) is €59.99 one-time per submitted joint return, while the non-subscription version is €69.99 one-time. A further published table gives an annual individual plan at €3999, renewing every 12 months with payment on filing, or €4999 paid once on filing.

Expert Service uses a 20% refund-based fee and sets a €99,99 minimum. Payment follows the tax notice or is due no later than 150 days after the return is supplied; the minimum also applies where there is no refund or a payment is owed. The provider does not publish a separate VAT-product price in these facts.

Where it runs

Basic is available via a web browser and apps downloaded from Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Account data syncs between the phone app and browser, allowing device changes. On mobile, the camera can read wage-tax certificates and extract relevant details.

The German iPhone listing specifies iOS 15.1 or newer. Mac access calls for macOS 12.0 or newer and an Apple M1-or-later chip. Taxfix names Android, iOS, web and an API among its platforms, although an independent APIs.io profile reports no public developer API, portal or documentation.

Protection, as Taxfix publishes it

According to Taxfix, encryption safeguards data; its servers are primarily in Germany or elsewhere in the EU, with GoBD and GDPR compliance. The company also says it does not share data with third parties.

Google Play says the app may share location and personal information, gather personal and financial information, encrypt data in transit and accept deletion requests. Taxfix describes a support center covering self-prepared returns, Expert Service, technical issues and tax notices.

Strengths

Instead of tax forms, users follow questions and receive a refund estimate before submitting. Listed functions include document scanning, deduction support, amended returns, rental-income support and electronic filing.

With Expert Service, users send documents to an independent adviser who prepares and submits the return. The service also sends status updates about tax-office processing and deadlines.

Catches and limits

The VAT offering targets VAT-liable freelancers and businesses. Taxfix says corporations and users whose main residence is outside Germany are excluded. Coverage is restricted to the income categories the program lists, such as employment, capital income, certain other income, special expenses and children.

Reviews cited in the facts say situations involving multiple asset classes, foreign income or crypto can require a higher plan or separate tax advice. One review says the UK service has no bookkeeping software and is weaker with many variables; another says support is offered by chat and email rather than phone.

Google Play reviewers mention price rises and subscription billing, including a basic filing price reaching €70. Trustpilot reviewers describe problems cancelling, explaining charges and contacting support. Because Basic tables use varying labels, users should verify the amount and billing method before filing.

Who may want something else

Corporations, people without a main residence in Germany and returns outside the listed income coverage may not suit Taxfix. Complex foreign, crypto or multi-asset affairs may likewise need another service or professional advice.

For other tax-filing software, see tax filing software. Named alternatives in the directory include WISO Steuer, TelosTax and EZTax.

Verdict

Taxfix is aimed at people filing German personal returns who want guided questions, phone-and-browser access and electronic submission through ELSTER. Its free calculator gives an estimate before payment; Basic supports self-preparation, while Expert Service adds adviser handling for a percentage fee subject to a high minimum.

It is less suitable for corporations, non-German residents and tax matters beyond the listed income types. Before selecting a plan, compare the annual, one-time and subscription descriptions, account for the €99,99 Expert minimum and check app-store data statements and support options.

Questions