Apply for an income tax card - is that also possible online?

Your employer needs your income tax card to calculate the income tax. You have to apply for this at the tax office. But doesn't something like that go online now? The answer is yes and no. There have been various changes in this regard since 2013.

1. The income tax card is abolished

• From January 1, 2013, the previous wage tax card will be replaced by "electronic wage tax deduction features" (ELStAM). All the information that was previously on the front of your income tax card is noted there: tax class, allowances, etc.
• Until your employer uses the electronic procedure, you will still need to use the paper printed income tax card. If you have lost it or have never had one, you can have a so-called income tax replacement certificate issued by the tax office. You can't do that online. To do this, you must personally visit the tax office.
• As soon as your employer has converted to the electronic wage tax procedure, your details from the registration register will be used to calculate the wage tax.

2. Your new income tax card / "ELStAM"

• If your employer uses the new "Electronic income tax deduction features" (ELStAM), these will also appear on your pay slip.
• You can view your ELStAM at any time in the Elster online portal (electronic tax declaration). To do this, you must register with your tax identification number.
• The identification number can be found on the income tax card or the replacement certificate, among other things, and your employer also needs it once for the new procedure. In addition, he must state whether your job is a main or secondary job.

To ensure that nothing goes wrong with your tax return, you will find the best tax and financial programs here.