SteuerGo FAQs

Set up the automatic data retrieval step by step!

This page provides an overview of all permissions already granted for automatic data retrieval.

If you have not yet granted permission for data retrieval in your customer account with SteuerGo, simply click on "Set up permission for data retrieval".

1. Set up permission for automatic data retrieval

Enter your first name, last name, date of birth, and identification number to set up permission for electronic data retrieval with SteuerGo and apply for activation with the tax authorities.

Important: You can only apply for and set up data retrieval for one person with SteuerGo. If you have multiple customer accounts, data retrieval can only be set up and managed in one account.

2. Activation for data retrieval

Once the activation has been successfully applied for, a confirmation page will be displayed. What happens next depends on whether you are already registered with ELSTER or not.

A. You are not registered with ELSTER:

If you are not registered with ELSTER, the activation is very simple and is done via the letter replacement procedure. You will automatically receive a 12-digit activation code by post ("activation code for electronic document retrieval") from your tax office within a few days.

After receiving the activation code, simply access the "Data retrieval: Manage permissions" page at SteuerGo. Carefully enter the activation code in the designated field and confirm the entry with "OK".

The tax authorities usually provide your data within the next 48 hours. As soon as the data is available, we will inform you by email. You can then import all data into your tax case via the "My tax return" page. If your tax office provides new data for you, we will automatically notify you in the future.

Important: If the activation code is not entered, the application will expire after a period of 90 days.

The activation code can be entered incorrectly a maximum of 4 times in a row. On the fifth incorrect attempt, the activation code will be deactivated. This means that both the activation code and the corresponding permission application are void. In this case, you must submit a new application.

B. You are already registered with ELSTER:

If you already have an active ELSTER account, the data retrieval activation is done directly online in your ELSTER user account. In this case, you will not automatically receive an activation code by post.

Proceed as follows:

1. Log in to the "Mein ELSTER" portal at www.elster.de.
2. Navigate to:
   Forms & Services → Manage certificates → Certificates of other persons
3. Select the area for "Data retrieval permissions granted to other persons".
4. Grant permission for the following authorised representative:
   "forium GmbH" (operator of SteuerGo)

This authorises SteuerGo to retrieve the electronic data stored at the tax office on your behalf.

After activation, it may take up to 48 hours for the data to be retrieved by SteuerGo for the first time. You will then be automatically informed by email.

Note: If your ELSTER access is no longer active (e.g. because the certificate has expired), you must register again. As part of the registration process, you will receive part of the activation data by post for security reasons.