Bavaria intends to launch an app for tax filing and NRW expresses interest in joining the initiative.
A new digital solution for simplified tax filing is on the horizon, as both Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia have expressed interest in developing an app for streamlined tax processes.
As of September 2025, Bavaria is leading the way in this development, with plans to launch at least a first version of the app by mid-2026. This app is set to revolutionise the tax filing process, with the tax office preparing the return, making it easier for citizens to review and confirm their tax details with a single click.
The app, similar to the nationwide-used tax software "Elster," will utilise data such as income tax, pension, and health insurance data. Initially, the app's testing could consist of a targeted group, including single, childless employees.
Hesse has already initiated a pilot project for simplified tax filing, but it does not currently operate via an app and is limited to 6,000 taxpayers. North Rhine-Westphalia's Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (SPD) supports Bavaria's plans to develop an app for simplified tax filing.
The app is scheduled to be available until September 2027, and its potential use in North Rhine-Westphalia is also under consideration. The application for simplified tax declaration is planned to be available for the first time in 2025, subject to legislative and regulatory updates related to digital tax processes in Germany.
One of the key benefits of this app is that citizens would no longer have to remember the deadlines when using the app for tax filing. Additionally, the app would be particularly beneficial for those whose data has not changed compared to the previous year, such as employees without significant additional income or new deductible expenses.
As the development of this app progresses, it's hoped that it will make tax filing easier and more accessible for millions of citizens across Germany.
