It’s that time again: Tax consultants are debating whether artificial intelligence and bots like ChatGPT will take over their jobs in a few years. The debate is not entirely new. Ten years ago, scientists at Oxford University predicted that there was a 99 percent probability that the simple preparation of tax returns (“tax preparer”) would be automated in the future. Of 702 analyzed professions, only seven were considered to be more at risk than tax consultants. The triumph of tax software and digital tax returns fitted the picture perfectly.
And yet tax consultants are desperately looking for new recruits today. Most tax offices are completely overloaded. During the pandemic years, they had to help with applying for aid, and recently millions of property tax returns were added. Normal business backs up.
Digitization still seems to be changing this business, but in no way endangering it. Where there are no routine activities, there is more room for advice. Even digital tax assistants suddenly involve tax consultants again instead of making them superfluous. This is what this year’s practical test of tax software, apps and online tax returns shows. You can find an overview of the results in the table.
In the beginning, there were still special start-ups, such as Taxando, Zasta or Expresssteuer, which created a kind of digital sales channel for tax advice: With them, the user quickly answers a few questions online and enters their data. Then the professional takes over – only online instead of offline. Now, however, those providers who have previously promoted a fully-fledged digital tax offer are also relying on tax consultants: the Berlin portal Taxfix, for example, or the specialist publisher Buhl, which is behind the software classic Wiso Steuer. It starts with entry-level prices of 50 to 100 euros. This is very little for classic tax advice, but a lot for digital tax offers. Especially since the prices rise quickly depending on income and the type of income. At Buhl, from 70,000 to 150,000 euros gross annual fee for the consultant would already be 149 euros. There is an additional 99 euros per rented residential unit, and a further 59 euros for investment income above the tax-free allowance (still 801 euros per person in 2022).
The providers take advantage of the higher willingness to pay for individualized advice. Here, too, the consultant is relieved of routine activities, above all of data preparation. Ideally, he can play to his strengths: solving tricky borderline cases, human empathy and more binding statements for which he is ultimately liable.
Inflation hits
Especially in simpler cases - such as employees who have only a few professional expenses and otherwise hardly any tax items worth mentioning - the digital helpers are sufficient. The trend is away from classic control software, which has to be installed on a computer, towards apps for smartphones or tablets. At the same time, these services can also be used directly via the Internet browser.
Only the state Elster portal (My Elster) is completely free of charge. Users have to plan between 20 and 60 euros for the commercial competition. Here, too, inflation strikes. On average, the offers tested have become about ten percent more expensive. There were particularly strong price increases for Steuerfuchs and Tax (both up 33 percent), which are still among the cheaper options. Our price information for software does not refer to the manufacturer's information, but to the cheapest offer for pure download versions at the time of the test (e.g. on price comparison sites on the Internet). For apps and online tax returns, we apply the price for filing a tax return (without special discounts).
This also makes a difference: Depending on the offer selected, users can only submit one tax return or multiple tax returns at the basic price. For example, up to three levies are possible with the tax savings declaration, but five with Wiso Steuer and Smartsteuer. If several declarations are to be made in the family, this is a big plus.
Checking tax software: an overview of the WirtschaftsWoche test reports
Klartax: This app is still expandable
This control app looks very tidy. It comes from a service provider for tax consultants - but does not exploit its great potential. Read now!
Income tax compact: Better in the browser than via app
The service of the small provider Forium GmbH can be used via app and browser. The tax return can be successful in both cases - but the support is better via browser. A practice test. Read now!
My magpie: Still a long way from the noble goal
The state service for online tax returns is called Mein Elster. It is the digital advancement of paper forms, unfortunately no more. Read now!
Smart tax: You don't need more than the browser
Even in complex tax cases, tax software is not absolutely necessary. As an online service, Smartsteuer offers comprehensive support for tax returns, as the practical test shows. Read now!
Controlbot: This app is fast and good too
The tax app Steuerbot promises a particularly fast tax return. It also keeps this promise - users reach their goals almost playfully. Read now!
Tax fox: The tax fox lives in a world of its own
The tax return via browser at a reasonable price: that's what the tax fox offers. He attaches great importance to data protection, but has weaknesses in user-friendliness. Read now!
SteuerGo: The language genius weakens a bit
The tax app SteuerGo scores with a particularly large number of languages. It comes from the same provider as the wage tax compact – and also has the same weaknesses. A practice test. Read now!
Steuergott: A lot of trust in God is required here
A few photos should be enough for the automatic tax return. This works in theory, but actually has a lot of risks. A practice test. Read now!
Tax Savings Declaration: The full load of tax knowledge
The tax savings declaration is a software classic. Above all, she wants to keep her existing customers and dares only very slowly to innovations, a practical test. Read now!
Tax: It's hardly cheaper
A lot of Tax 2023 is reminiscent of the Wiso Steuer Sparbuch - the big brother from Buhl-Verlag, so to speak. Software Tax is the top recommendation for bargain hunters. Read now!
Taxando: If at all, then only with a tax consultant
The tax app Taxando promises a lot - but does not keep some of them. In the end, users should primarily get a tax consultant. A practice test. Read now!
Taxfix: A super pilot through the tax confusion
Taxfix exudes a lot of seriousness for a tax app. The app guides users very well through the tax return, as the practical test shows. Read now!
Taxman: This tax software hides its true core
Taxman 2023 is a classic desktop tax software. It bears an extreme resemblance to a competing offering - and that's no coincidence. Our practical test. Read now!
Wiso Steuer Sparbuch: The classic convinces
Multiple awards, rightly so. The Wiso Steuer Sparbuch is convincing without being overwhelming. The strengths in the practical test. Read now!
Miracle tax: A tax return almost as if by magic
A tax return in just 17 minutes? Wundertax, available via app and browser, takes many shortcuts. Unfortunately, orientation and understanding sometimes fall by the wayside. A practice test. Read now!
Zasta: taxes? keep away from me!
This app is aimed at everyone who wants nothing to do with taxes. With a very youthful address, she still wants to help with the tax return, with the help of a tax consultant. Read now!
Savings as a motivational kick
Compared to the free Elster portal, the paid options usually offer a more convenient alternative. They score particularly well with explanations, background knowledge and tax tips. A continuously updated forecast of the currently calculated tax refund provides the necessary motivation. In this way, users can see directly what effect this has when they enter it.
In the end, the tax return can be submitted digitally in all cases. But the way to get there is different. Classic tax software – such as the test winner in this category, Wiso Steuer – is usually better than the tax apps, especially for more complex cases. Users get a lot of details in the software, even for rare topics. Smartsteuer, which is called up directly in the browser, also covers a wide range of topics. On the other hand, if you just want to get things done quickly in rather simple cases, you should try the Steuerbot. The smartphone app guides you through the tax return in chat mode. This works surprisingly well - and is enough for the test victory among the apps.
The tax return on your own has one disadvantage compared to that with professional support: At least for mandatory tax returns, there is a shorter submission deadline. While tax consultants or income tax assistance associations can still submit the tax return for 2022 by the end of July 2024, the do-it-yourself tax return must reach the tax office by October 2, 2023 at the latest.
