Overview

Basic walks users through a return with straightforward questions and provides an initial refund estimate; Expert has users answer questions and upload documents for an independent tax adviser to review and prepare the return, which users then confirm. Both approaches submit through the official ELSTER interface. That makes Taxfix a useful fit for people who want a digital filing process but do not all want the same level of professional help.

A separate offering for VAT-liable freelancers and businesses combines bookkeeping, receipt capture, VAT advance returns and an income-tax return including EÜR. Its scope is more specialized than general small-business accounting: it is not intended for corporations or people whose main residence is outside Germany.

Key features

Self-prepared filing or adviser support

Basic’s guided questions and estimate give self-filers a way to prepare and assess a return before paying to submit. That is a sensible route for people comfortable managing their own filing. Expert shifts preparation to an independent tax adviser and adds a personal document checklist and direct contact with the assigned expert, a stronger fit for users who want that support. Its fee is tied to the refund and can still apply if the return is not submitted, so it is not a risk-free alternative to self-filing.

Tools for VAT-liable self-employed filers

The VAT-oriented service captures receipt and invoice details such as amounts, dates and tax rates automatically when documents are uploaded. Alongside bookkeeping and VAT advance returns, that can reduce manual entry for eligible freelancers and businesses. The eligibility boundary matters: it does not suit corporations or users without a main residence in Germany.

Electronic filing and data handling

Taxfix transmits returns through ELSTER. The company says it uses encryption, does not pass data to third parties, hosts servers mainly in Germany and otherwise only in EU countries, and follows GoBD and GDPR requirements. Those commitments may reassure users concerned about handling financial documents, though they remain the company’s stated practices.

A support center covers self-prepared returns, Expert, technical issues and tax assessments. That range is useful when a question concerns a particular stage of filing, rather than relying on a single undifferentiated help channel.

Pricing

Start is free and provides an estimate of the expected refund; submission requires Basic. Basic’s self-prepared returns are free until submission, so users can prepare before committing to the filing fee. The annual subscription options are 39.99 EUR per year for an individual return and 59.99 EUR per year for a joint return. Both renew automatically every 12 months, and the fee falls due when the return is submitted.

For filers who do not want a subscription, Basic offers one-time filing at 49.99 EUR per return for an individual and 69.99 EUR per return for a joint return. These options avoid annual renewal, but cost more than the corresponding annual plans. The pricing information also describes these one-time options as 49.99 EUR per month and 69.99 EUR per month, respectively, while stating that payment is one-time at submission; users should confirm the displayed checkout terms before paying.

Expert costs 20% of the tax refund, with a minimum fee of €99.99. The fee can apply even when the return is not submitted, so users should weigh adviser preparation against the predictable Basic fee, particularly if their refund is small or uncertain.

Taxfix also publishes Basic prices in German plan wording: 3999.00 EUR per year for Einzelveranlagung and 5999.00 EUR per year for Zusammenveranlagung, each with automatic renewal every 12 months and a fee due on submission; one-time versions are 4999.00 EUR and 6999.00 EUR, respectively, payable at submission. Those amounts differ from the corresponding euro prices above, so users should verify the applicable amount and terms when choosing a plan.

Platforms

Taxfix is available on Android, iOS and the web. Basic can be used in a browser or downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play, giving users a choice between desktop and mobile filing.

Who it's for

Taxfix is a strong match for people filing individual or joint German returns who want a guided self-prepared option, and for those willing to pay for an independent adviser to prepare a return. VAT-liable freelancers and businesses may also benefit from the separate bookkeeping and tax tools if they meet its residence and entity requirements. It is not the right fit for corporations seeking that VAT solution, or for users whose main residence is outside Germany.

Pros and cons

Pros: Basic lets users prepare a return and see an estimate before submission fees apply, making it possible to assess the likely outcome first.
Pros: Expert offers adviser preparation, a personal document checklist and direct contact, giving users a supported alternative to doing the return themselves.
Pros: The separate VAT service combines bookkeeping, receipt capture, VAT advances and an income-tax return with EÜR for eligible self-employed users.
Cons: Basic’s annual plans renew every 12 months, while one-time filing costs more than the corresponding annual plan.
Cons: Expert’s minimum fee is €99.99 and its refund-based fee may apply even if the return is not submitted, which can make the option unattractive for small refunds.
Cons: The VAT product excludes corporations and users without a main residence in Germany, limiting its usefulness for some business filers.

Alternatives

H&R Block Online is worth considering for people filing simple tax situations who want a free plan on web or mobile; its free option is limited to simple situations and Form 1040, unlike Taxfix’s German filing through ELSTER.

TelosTax is a free, open-source tax-preparation app for tax year 2025 and supports more listed platforms, including Linux, macOS and Windows. Choose it if those attributes matter more than Taxfix’s adviser option or its separate German VAT service.

Quicko offers a free Basic plan capped at ₹12 lakh total income and one app connection, so it may suit users within those limits who need its listed Indian tax option rather than Taxfix’s German filing.

EZTax is another freemium tax-filing option, with a free trial and a self-service ITR plan priced at 249.00 INR per month; consider it instead if that offering better fits your needs.

TaxTim has a free tier whose Lite plan covers standard salary, pension and other simple income types, with AI tax answers and human helpdesk support; it may suit users whose income matches that scope.

Keeper offers a free deductions-focused plan with expense discovery, a tax deduction summary export and a 24/7 AI tax assistant. It is a more targeted option for users prioritizing deduction tracking.

Bart offers a sole-trader plan for 9.99 GBP per month, with billing beginning when the sixth transaction is categorized after five free transactions. It may fit sole traders seeking that transaction-based start to paid billing.

FlyFin is a paid option with a free plan and trial, available on Android and iOS; consider it if you prefer to compare another mobile-focused service.

For broader comparisons, browse AI Tax Software, Tax Preparation Software or Personal Tax Software.

Verdict

Taxfix is best for German individual and joint filers who want to choose between preparing a return themselves and paying for an independent adviser to prepare it. Its clearest advantage is that choice, backed by ELSTER submission and a separate, capable-looking workflow for eligible VAT-liable self-employed users. Look elsewhere if you need a VAT product for a corporation or a residence outside Germany, or if Expert’s refund-based fee and Basic’s submission charges do not fit your budget.

	CalCal	Taxfix
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	£5/mo	€3.33/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, iOS, Web	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	No	No
Self-employment support	Yes	—
Investment income	Yes	—
Rental income	Yes	—
State filing	none	—
Mobile access	web_and_mobile	—

CalCal vs Taxfix

CalCal

Taxfix