💻 Rating system

Scoring: tax software comparison

This is how we rate tax software. The focus is on features, ease of use and price.

Maximum score: 100

Magnifying glass over a tax form

Magnifying glass over a tax form

Category	Criterion	Points breakdown	Max. points
Features	Supported types of tax	• All (income tax, trade tax, VAT etc.) = full points • Standard + trade tax = 10 points • Income tax only = 5 points	15
	Automatic receipt retrieval	• Yes, with pre-filling = full points • Manual import = 3 points • No = 0 points	8
	Tax tips & optimisation	• Proactive savings suggestions = full points • Basic tips = 4 points • None = 0 points	7
	ELSTER integration	• Direct dispatch integrated = full points • Export for ELSTER = 2 points	5
Usability	Interview mode (question and answer)	• Yes, very intuitive = full points • Available = 5 points • Form mode only = 0 points	10
	Help & explanations	• Comprehensive with videos = full points • Good help texts = 4 points • Minimal = 1 point	6
	Import of previous year's data	• Automatic = full points • Manual import = 2 points • Not possible = 0 points	5
Price & licence	Value for money	• < €20 for full version = full points • €20–35 = 8 points • €35–50 = 5 points • > €50 = 2 points	12
	Free trial version	• Complete up to submission = full points • Limited demo = 2 points • None = 0 points	4
	Several tax returns	• Unlimited = full points • ≥ 3 included = 3 points • Only 1 = 0 points	5
Platforms	Supported operating systems	• Windows + Mac + online + app = full points • Windows + Mac/online = 5 points • Windows only = 2 points	8
Platforms	Cloud sync	• Yes, across devices = full points • Local storage only = 0 points	4
Support & security	Customer support	• Phone + chat + email = full points • Email + FAQ = 3 points • FAQ only = 1 point	5
	Tax adviser hotline	• Yes, included = full points • At extra cost = 2 points • No = 0 points	4
	Data protection (GDPR)	• Hosting in Germany, certified = full points • EU hosting = 1 point	2
Total points:			100

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Checklist with a binder

Checklist with a binder