WISO Steuer
Comprehensive German tax software. Covers all legal forms from freelancer to GmbH.
Features
- ✓All tax forms
- ✓Self-employed
- ✓GmbH support
- ✓Tax optimization tips
Pros
- Most comprehensive
- All business types
- Proven reliability
Cons
- German only
- Desktop software feel
Best For
About WISO Steuer
WISO Steuer represents the most comprehensive German tax software available to individuals and businesses, developed by Buhl Data Service with decades of tax software expertise. The platform covers every German tax form and scenario: from simple employee returns to complex GmbH taxation, from rental income to capital gains, from self-employment to side hustles. The software is available in multiple formats—desktop software, web application, and mobile app—all synchronized so you can work where convenient. The tax optimization suggestions identify deductions many users would miss, often recovering more than the software cost. For businesses, WISO Steuer handles EÜR, Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (VAT advance returns), and business tax declarations. The German-only interface reflects the target market—this is software for people comfortable with German who want to master their tax situation. At €29.95-44.95/year depending on version, the investment is modest compared to Steuerberater fees. For German business owners who want to understand their taxes deeply—even if they ultimately work with a tax advisor—WISO Steuer provides the tools to stay informed and involved in tax planning.
Pricing & Editions
- WISO Steuer Sparbuch: €29.95/year - employee and simple self-employed
- WISO Steuer: €34.95/year - all business forms including GmbH
- WISO Steuer Plus: €44.95/year - includes smartphone app and premium support
- Multi-year: discounts available for 2+ year subscriptions
- Update pricing: existing users get €5-10 discount on renewal
Comprehensive Tax Coverage
WISO Steuer handles the complete German tax landscape: income tax declarations (Einkommensteuererklärung), business expense tracking (EÜR), corporate returns for GmbH, partnership taxation (KG), association returns, and capital gains. The software auto-detects which forms and schedules are relevant to your situation and guides you through completion. Pre-filled data from tax office records (if available) is imported automatically, reducing manual entry.
ELSTER Integration
- Direct ELSTER filing: submit tax returns electronically to Finanzamt
- Automatic validation: WISO checks for errors before submission
- Multi-year filings: submit back-year returns through single interface
- Certificate storage: securely stores authentication certificates
- Filing confirmation: receipt and confirmation number saved in software
Tax Optimization Tips Engine
WISO Steuer's standout feature is the Steuertipps (tax tips) engine—as you enter data, the software identifies deductions and optimization opportunities you might miss. This includes charitable donations, energy-efficient home improvements, professional development costs, home office deductions, vehicle expenses, and more. Users regularly report that the software identifies deductions worth multiple times its cost.
Comparison: WISO vs. Smartsteuer vs. Accountable vs. Taxfix
Smartsteuer offers English support but less comprehensive coverage. Accountable is freelancer-focused with invoicing but charges monthly. Taxfix is cloud-based and mobile-first but lacks GmbH support. WISO Steuer is the comprehensive choice for German-comfortable users who want deep coverage of all business types and investment income scenarios. Best suited for business owners wanting to master their complete tax situation.
Multi-Year & Archive Management
- Archive multiple years: access and modify prior year returns
- Compare filings: review changes year-over-year
- Update legacy returns: correct errors from prior years
- Export to PDF: store digitally for records and audit trail
- Backup functionality: local backups of all tax data
Multiple Platforms & Formats
WISO Steuer is available as desktop software (Windows/Mac), web application, and mobile app. All versions synchronize, allowing you to start on desktop and continue on phone or tablet. The web and mobile versions are convenient for on-the-go data entry, while the desktop version offers the most advanced features and reporting.
Best For
- German business owners (GmbH, GbR, KG, Einzelunternehmer)
- Freelancers and self-employed with complex deductions
- Individuals with investment income, rental properties, capital gains
- Users seeking comprehensive tax optimization
- Organizations that want to maintain tax independence from advisors
- Anyone comfortable with German and wanting deep tax knowledge
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