Taxfix

Taxfix is a German tax-preparation service with a guided self-filing route and an option for an independent tax adviser to prepare a return. It suits individual and joint filers who want to choose how much help they receive, as well as eligible VAT-registered self-employed users. The key trade-off is that the self-prepared route costs nothing to complete but charges at submission, while expert fees can apply even if a return is not submitted.

Overview

Basic guides filers through questions and shows an initial refund estimate; Expert shifts preparation to an independent adviser after users answer questions and upload documents. Users review and confirm the prepared return. Taxfix submits returns to the tax office through the official ELSTER interface, making it a Germany-focused option rather than a general international filing service.

A separate product for VAT-liable freelancers and businesses combines bookkeeping, receipt capture, VAT advance returns and an income-tax return including EÜR. It is not suited to corporations or users whose main residence is outside Germany.

Key features

Self-prepared and adviser-prepared filing

Basic is the better fit for filers comfortable preparing their own return: its guided questions and early refund estimate help users work through the process before paying to submit. Expert is more appropriate when a filer wants professional preparation, a personal document checklist and direct contact with the assigned adviser. Its fee is 20% of the refund, with a €99.99 minimum, and may still apply if the return is not submitted, so it is not a low-risk way to get advice without proceeding.

Bookkeeping and VAT for eligible self-employed users

The VAT solution brings bookkeeping, receipt capture, VAT prepayments and income-tax filing with EÜR together. Automatic extraction of amounts, dates and tax rates from uploaded receipts and invoices can reduce manual entry. Its eligibility boundaries are important: it targets VAT-liable freelancers and businesses, not corporations or people without a main residence in Germany.

Security and support

Taxfix says it uses encryption and does not share data with third parties. It says its servers are mainly in Germany, with others limited to EU countries, and that it complies with GoBD and GDPR. Its support center covers self-prepared returns, Expert service, technical issues and tax assessments.

Pricing

Taxfix has a free start for estimating a likely refund, but filing requires Basic or Expert. Basic’s annual prices are lower than its one-time alternatives, but the annual plans renew every 12 months; one-time payment avoids a subscription. Both individual and joint returns are supported, and the filing fee is charged when the return is submitted.

The one-time Basic prices cost more than the annual equivalents, but avoid renewal. Expert is the higher-support route and ties its fee to the refund, subject to a minimum; filers should account for the possibility of a charge without submission. The VAT product’s price is custom pricing.

Platforms

Basic works in a browser and through iOS and Android apps. That mix suits users who want to switch between a computer and phone while preparing a return.

Who it's for

Taxfix is best for people filing German individual or joint returns who want guided self-preparation or an adviser-prepared alternative. VAT-liable freelancers and businesses with a main residence in Germany may also find the separate bookkeeping and tax workflow relevant. It is not the right VAT option for corporations or users based outside Germany.

Pros and cons

• Choice of preparation level: Basic supports self-filing, while Expert offers independent adviser preparation and direct contact.
• Free to prepare before filing: Basic’s fee is deferred until submission, allowing users to see an estimate first.
• ELSTER submission: Returns go electronically to the tax office through the official interface.
• Expert costs can persist without filing: The minimum is €99.99, and the fee may apply even when the return is not submitted.
• Annual Basic renews: The cheaper annual prices renew every 12 months; one-time plans avoid that commitment at a higher price.
• Narrow VAT eligibility: The separate self-employed solution excludes corporations and people without a main residence in Germany.

Alternatives

TelosTax is a free, open-source tax-preparation app for tax year 2025, and supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows; choose it if free software and broader platform coverage matter more than Taxfix’s adviser-prepared route.

H&R Block Online offers free online filing for simple tax situations using Form 1040, with a fee billed per state filed; it is a more relevant option for eligible US filers.

Quicko has a free Basic plan for income up to ₹12 lakh and one app connection; consider it when those limits fit and a free plan is the priority.

TaxAct offers free federal filing for eligible standard returns, with state filing additional; it may suit eligible US filers who want that federal filing option.

TurboTax has a free edition for simple Form 1040 returns, with eligibility limited to simple returns; it is an alternative for qualifying US filers.

BharatTax AI is a web-based freemium alternative with five AI credits on its free plan.

Filabl offers a free plan for invoicing, quotes, expense tracking, contact management and basic profit-and-loss reports; it may suit users seeking those business tools rather than Taxfix’s German tax-filing workflow.

Instead has a free web platform with unlimited users, entities and e-file and print file; consider it when multi-entity support is the priority.

Browse more options in AI Tax Software, Tax Preparation Software and Personal Tax Software.

Verdict

Choose Taxfix if you file in Germany and want either a guided self-prepared return or the option to hand preparation to an independent adviser. Its strongest advantage is that choice, backed by ELSTER submission and a separate workflow for eligible VAT-liable self-employed users. Look elsewhere if you need a VAT product for a corporation or a non-German resident, or if Expert’s refund-linked fee and possible charge without submission do not suit your budget.