The main filing route is ELSTER: free, with field checks and a receipt. The most important field is the Bodenrichtwert — take it from your state official BORIS portal and reconcile it with the ELSTER prefill. After submitting, keep the Transferticket as proof that the declaration went in on time.
Property Tax: file the return via ELSTER
Filling the declaration in ELSTER: where the land value (Bodenrichtwert) comes from via the BORIS portal, what matters for areas and shares, the cost and how to keep the submission receipt (Transferticket).
✓ Verified: 20/07/2026
WHAT TO DO
AUTHORITY
Finanzamt
Federal agencyThe BZSt is the federal body; your personal tax matters go to the Finanzamt for your registered address.
COSTS
- Filing via ELSTER free
yourself
- €Tax adviser or paid service ca. 30–200 €
optional, depends on the property
› Details and tips
👨🏻💻
Max recommends:
I found the Bodenrichtwert in a minute by address on the BORIS portal — it matched the ELSTER prefill. I saved the Transferticket as a PDF to compare later with the assessment.
👩🏼💼
Lea recommends:
Joint ownership of spouses: one declaration per property, but listing both owners and shares. Two separate declarations for the same property cause confusion and follow-up questions.
Useful Tools
- ELSTER Online Official
Germany's official tax portal.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where do I get the Bodenrichtwert? ▾
From your state official portal BORIS (land-value information system); it is free. Enter the address and read the Bodenrichtwert in euro per square metre. In ELSTER it is often prefilled but should be checked against the portal.
What does filing cost? ▾
Filing via ELSTER is free. You only pay if you engage a tax adviser (Steuerberater) or a paid online service — that is optional. For an ordinary flat or house many people manage on their own.
How long does it take? ▾
For an ordinary flat or house 30 to 90 minutes if the data is at hand: areas, year built, Bodenrichtwert and shares. The longest parts are ELSTER registration and finding the data, not the form itself.