Overview

The workflow gives users several ways to assemble a return: photograph wage statements and receipts for automatic recognition and entry, or consent to retrieval of tax information such as wage-tax data from the tax administration. The expected refund updates as information is entered, and completed returns go to the tax office electronically through the official ELSTER interface. That mix can save manual entry and keep the likely outcome in view, but it does not widen the product’s eligibility: it supports income tax returns only for people with unlimited tax liability in Germany.

A license covers up to five tax returns, making it useful for households or people handling several returns. WISO Steuer runs on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, the web and Windows. The maker is based in Neunkirchen, Germany; Buhl, the company behind the service, was founded in 1986.

Key features

Less manual entry, with a live estimate

Photographed wage statements and receipts can be recognized and entered automatically, while authorized retrieval brings in tax data held by the administration. These options are practical advantages for filers with paperwork to gather, though users should still review the entries they submit. The live refund calculation helps show how answers affect the expected result as the return takes shape.

Tax guidance and filing

SteuerGPT answers tax questions in natural language within the program. Tax Banking can retrieve and categorize bank transactions, but requires a finanzblick account, so it is most relevant to users willing to connect that service. Electronic filing uses the official ELSTER interface, avoiding a separate paper-submission step.

Security and support

Buhl says data is stored on its servers in Germany and protected in transmission and storage with HTTPS and AES-256 encryption. Its privacy notice says personal data is not generally shared with third parties, subject to limited exceptions such as service providers, legal requirements or user consent. For SteuerGPT, the notice names Taxy.io GmbH as processor and Microsoft Azure servers in Germany. The Vorteils-Abo includes a technical support hotline; users can also submit support requests through Buhl’s ticket system.

Pricing

WISO Steuer offers a free Testversion, an annual Vorteils-Abo and a one-time Einzelkauf. The free version lets users test all functions and charges only when they submit a tax return, which makes it a sensible way to prepare before committing to payment.

Plan	Price and terms	Best fit
Testversion	0.00 EUR per free; payment is requested when submitting the tax return. All functions can be tested.	Filers who want to prepare and check their return before paying to submit it.
Vorteils-Abo	35.99 EUR per year; annual subscription, renews automatically each November; up to five tax returns.	People filing repeatedly or managing several returns who want the included technical hotline.
Einzelkauf	45.99 EUR per month; one-time purchase for a tax year, with one-time submission for one tax year and a personal SteuerGPT AI adviser.	Someone who wants a single tax-year purchase rather than the renewing subscription, particularly if the personal AI adviser matters.

The Vorteils-Abo has the lowest stated paid price and covers five returns, but automatic November renewal is a material condition. The Einzelkauf is for one tax year and one submission, so it is less suitable for multiple returns. Compare its stated monthly price with the subscription terms before choosing; the two plans are not described on the same billing basis.

Platforms

WISO Steuer supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows. That broad coverage lets users choose mobile, desktop or browser access, though the supported platform alone does not indicate that every workflow is identical across them.

Who it's for

It is a strong fit for German residents with unlimited tax liability who want guided filing and can benefit from receipt recognition, tax-data retrieval or live refund updates. Support for self-employed filers and rental income gives it reach beyond straightforward employee returns; the maker also describes it as suitable for retirees, families and beginners. The five-return license is especially useful when one person needs to handle several filings.

Look elsewhere if you do not have unlimited tax liability in Germany or need to file a type of return other than German income tax. Tax Banking also adds little for someone who does not use a finanzblick account.

Pros and cons

Multiple ways to bring in information: photo recognition and consent-based tax-data retrieval can reduce manual entry.
Live refund estimate and ELSTER filing: users can follow the expected result while preparing and transmit the completed return electronically.
Five returns per license: the allowance suits people managing several filings, particularly under the annual subscription.
Strict eligibility boundary: it is only for income tax filers with unlimited tax liability in Germany.
Some conveniences depend on other services: Tax Banking requires a finanzblick account, and the subscription renews automatically each November.

Alternatives

For other options, browse Tax Preparation Software or Personal Tax Software.

Steuerbot is worth considering for users who want a free refund calculation before deciding whether to pay for submission; its submission plan is 39.99 EUR per month.
H&R Block Online may suit someone filing a simple Form 1040 return in the US, with a free plan for simple tax situations.
StudioTax is an option for eligible users with income of $20,000 or less or residents of the Northern Territories, who can use its free plan.
Taxfix offers an annual individual plan at 39.99 EUR per year, free until submission, for a self-prepared individual return.
TaxFreeway is another tax-preparation option.
ClearTax is a web-based alternative with a DIY income-tax return filing plan.
TaxAct offers free federal filing for eligible standard returns, with state filing additional.
TurboTax has a free edition for simple Form 1040 returns.

Verdict

Choose WISO Steuer if you have unlimited tax liability in Germany and want a guided return that combines automatic document entry, optional tax-data retrieval, a live refund estimate and electronic filing. The five-return allowance strengthens its case for households and repeat filers. Its main reason to look elsewhere is the firm German eligibility limit; the Vorteils-Abo’s automatic November renewal is also worth weighing before subscribing.

	TaxFreeway	WISO Steuer
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	$0.83/mo	€3/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	iOS, macOS, Windows	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	No

TaxFreeway vs WISO Steuer

TaxFreeway

WISO Steuer