ELSTER alternative: which software can you use instead of Mein ELSTER?

Instead of the form in Mein ELSTER you can use any tax software that supports ELSTER. ELSTER lists 636 software products for this, which you can filter by operating system and by the forms they support. For authenticated submission of your tax data you need the one-time registration in Mein ELSTER even with software.

Only VAT GPT sends all three returns itself. Of the tools we compare, according to the providers' own pages (checked 3 November 2026), only VAT GPT submits the OSS return itself to the BZSt, plus the VAT advance return and the annual VAT return via ELSTER to the tax office, calculated from your Amazon and eBay reports. You do not have to go into Mein ELSTER or the BZStOnline portal yourself. With the others, you upload the OSS file in the BZStOnline portal yourself, or a tax adviser or the provider's service files it for you. Sending needs Pro. OSS software compared

Last updated: 29 October 2026. The statements about ELSTER (636 products) refer to the state of 26 October 2026.

The essentials in brief

Two routes: Most tax forms, among them the advance VAT return, are free in Mein ELSTER. Or you use tax software that supports ELSTER.
The list: ELSTER shows 636 products on a page called “Softwareprodukte, die ELSTER unterstützen” (software products that support ELSTER). The manufacturers have stated to ELSTER that their software supports ELSTER.
Filters: You can filter by operating system (Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Linux, Android). You can also filter by supported forms and functions, for example advance VAT return, annual VAT return or tax registration questionnaire.
Registration: For authenticated submission you need the one-time registration in Mein ELSTER, also with software.
Decision: Which software fits depends on your forms and your data, not on a ranking.

What does “alternative to ELSTER” mean?

Mein ELSTER is ELSTER’s online tax office: you fill in the forms in your browser. The alternative is a program from another manufacturer that supports ELSTER. There you enter your figures, not in the ELSTER form. For every product, check whether it covers exactly the forms you need.

What this means for you: an alternative to Mein ELSTER is a program from another manufacturer that sends your data to the tax office through ELSTER.

Which software files the advance VAT return instead of ELSTER?

Every software on ELSTER’s list supports ELSTER; for authenticated submission you still need the registration in Mein ELSTER. Whether a product handles the advance VAT return, you see in ELSTER’s list with the filter “Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung” (advance VAT return). What to look for in advance-return software is explained in VAT return software in Germany: how to choose.

What this means for you: any software on ELSTER's list supports ELSTER, but you still need the one-time registration in Mein ELSTER (state of 26 October 2026: 636 products).

The three routes at a glance

Route	What it means	Fits if
Mein ELSTER	Forms in the browser, free, one-time registration	you have few figures and like to work in the form yourself
Tax software with ELSTER support	A program or online service from a manufacturer on ELSTER’s list	you want to take over figures from other sources or prepare several returns in one place
Power of attorney for another person	You can submit powers of attorney electronically to the tax office	you do not want to file the returns yourself

A comparison of Mein ELSTER and software for online sellers is in ELSTER yourself or software?.

What this means for you: choose between the form in Mein ELSTER, software with ELSTER support or a power of attorney for someone else (§ 87d AO).

Checklist: what to look for in software

Is it on ELSTER’s list? Look for the manufacturer on the page “Softwareprodukte, die ELSTER unterstützen”. The entries rest on the manufacturers’ statements.
Does it support your form? Filter the list by the form you need. For example advance VAT return, annual VAT return, trade tax return or tax registration questionnaire.
Does it run on your device? The list can be filtered by operating system.
Does it take over your data? Does the import match your source, for example marketplace reports or a spreadsheet? ELSTER’s list does not show this: ask the manufacturer or try a trial version.
Does it cover your returns? If you need more than the advance VAT return, for example the OSS return, check that separately. Details: OSS return for online sellers.
Can you check the figures before anything is sent? A preview before sending is not a luxury.

What this means for you: check the manufacturer on ELSTER's list, your forms and your data before you decide.

Common mistakes

Treating software with an ELSTER connection as an “ELSTER replacement”. Even then the registration in Mein ELSTER remains necessary.
Looking only at the list. A product being listed does not tell you whether it handles exactly your form. That is what the filter by forms is for.
Asking only about effort. According to ELSTER, Mein ELSTER is free. Whether another route pays off depends on how much work it takes off your hands.
Not testing. Try the software with one real month before you commit.

What this means for you: avoid the common mistakes: skipping the registration or choosing by ranking instead of by your forms.

How it works with VAT GPT

VAT GPT is the tax software for online sellers, freelancers and small businesses in Germany. It calculates and files in one place, in this order:

your OSS return
VAT
EÜR
trade tax
income tax

VAT GPT is listed in the ELSTER software directory; the entries there come from the manufacturer. This is how the advance VAT return works:

Upload files: your Amazon or eBay reports as CSV files and your invoices. The AI reads amounts, countries and tax rates.
Check the result: VAT GPT breaks down the VAT for Germany and the EU (OSS) and prepares the advance return, monthly or quarterly. You check and confirm.
Send: with VAT GPT Pro via ELSTER directly to the tax office.

Get to know VAT GPT or create an account right away.

No tax advice

VAT GPT is not tax advice – for example on which route is right for you.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an alternative to ELSTER? For submission to the tax office, tax software also uses ELSTER. An alternative to the form in Mein ELSTER is software that supports ELSTER; ELSTER keeps a list of 636 products for this. There the manufacturers have stated to ELSTER that their software supports ELSTER. You do not have to buy software: for many forms Mein ELSTER is enough. Software is worth it if it takes work off your hands, for example when taking over many marketplace figures.

Can I file the advance VAT return without Mein ELSTER? Yes, with software that supports ELSTER and handles the advance return. You still need the registration in Mein ELSTER for authenticated submission.

Is Mein ELSTER free? ELSTER says most tax forms, among them the advance VAT return, are free in Mein ELSTER. The registration is free and one-time.

Can I have someone else file for me? Yes. You can submit powers of attorney electronically to your tax office. Third parties can also be commissioned to transmit data to the tax administration (section 87d of the General Fiscal Code, AO).