Anyone wishing to communicate with the tax office as a Steuerberater (German Certified Tax Advisor) or Rechtsanwalt (German Attorney-at-Law) now has only two options.
What is changing
The legal and tax advisory professions may only communicate with the tax authorities via the ELSTER system or the ERiC interface.
The special electronic mailboxes for attorneys and tax advisors (beA and beSt), which are mandatory in court proceedings, are generally excluded.
Entry into force
Applies from the day after promulgation.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Which communication channels with the tax office remain permissible for Steuerberater (German Certified Tax Advisors) and attorneys?
Steuerberater and attorneys may only communicate with the tax authorities via the ELSTER system or the ERiC interface. Other electronic transmission channels are generally excluded.
Can beA and beSt still be used for communication with the tax office?
No. The special electronic mailboxes for attorneys and tax advisors (beA and beSt) are generally excluded from communication with the tax authorities. However, their use remains mandatory in court proceedings.
When does the restriction to ELSTER and ERiC apply?
The new rules take effect the day after promulgation. No transition period is provided, so firms must adapt their communication processes promptly.
What is the difference between ELSTER and ERiC?
ELSTER is the online portal of the German tax administration for the electronic transmission of tax data. ERiC is the technical interface (client software) that enables third-party applications such as tax firm software to transmit data to the tax administration.