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ELSTER - Ihr Online-Finanzamt endeavors to make its website accessible. The legal basis for this is the Disability Equality Act (BGG), the Barrier-free Information Technology Ordinance (BITV 2.0) and the harmonized European standard EN 301 549 in its current version.

The following accessibility statement applies to the website ELSTER - Ihr Online-Finanzamt at www.elster.de/eportal.

ELSTER - Ihr Online-Finanzamt was tested in July 2023 by the independent BITV test center Stiftung Pfennigparade and in March 2025 by the company DIAS GmbH according to the BITV test method. The criteria of the current BITV / WCAG test steps at the time of the test were tested. Any necessary adjustments to the website will be made as part of ongoing further developments.

ELSTER - Your Online Tax Office is currently not fully compliant with the technical requirements of the Barrier-free Information Ordinance (BITV 2.0).

The declaration was created on 29.09.2021 and last updated on 24.03.2026.

The tax administration attaches great importance to the barrier-free usability of its online tax office for all citizens. For people with disabilities, ELSTER - Ihr Online-Finanzamt offers unrestricted access to all electronic services and content.

For example, ELSTER pays attention to the following aspects of barrier-free usability:

• Informative graphics and images are provided with alternative texts. This means that this information is also accessible to blind users and users of simple text browsers using a Screenreader.
• HTML pages must be structured correctly. The correct organization of the page elements facilitates handling and understanding for the user. This is particularly important for users who use a Screenreader. Screenreaders read out the page elements one after the other in a logical, user-friendly order.
• Navigation between the pages must be intuitive. There is a standardized navigation mechanism between the pages. This makes it easier for users to understand and find the content of the web pages.
• Users can adjust the font size according to their needs. Users can use classic text-only magnification and zoom magnification of the entire layout without losing content or functionality.
• Technical abbreviations in the body text are written out in full to ensure readability and comprehensibility for all users.
• Certain terms are used in the same way throughout. This makes it easier to understand the information.
• Some content is available in plain language and a contrast mode can easily be switched on. This helps users to better understand the functionality on offer and find it more easily.

Detailed information on the BITV test and the test steps can be found at https://testen.bitv-test.de.

Messages in the inbox can be saved as PDF and HTML files. The PDF files are currently not accessible. However, to ensure accessibility, all messages are also available as accessible HTML documents. These can be used with the supported Browsers without additional programs.

The pages are created according to a uniform structure principle. This means that some pages may contain lists with only one entry. The heading structure is mostly implemented correctly. In the form area, however, a level 2 heading appears before a level 1 heading, as the side navigation appears before the form in the source code.

An external editorial system is used to maintain and provide editorial content. During automatic editing, empty paragraph elements are created in individual cases. A subsequent, purely automated clean-up of all existing content cannot currently be reliably limited to these cases and would lead to unintended changes in presentation elsewhere. A complete retroactive correction would therefore currently involve disproportionate effort (Art. 5 RL (EU) 2016/2102, BITV). Existing pages will be cleaned up gradually as part of regular updates. As a transitional measure, empty paragraph elements for assistive technologies will be hidden as they do not contain any content information.

In the view for customizing a document, keywords and buttons for closing these keywords are not fully accessible, but can alternatively be accessed via the backspace key.

Some input areas in forms are not technically optimized. Date fields support many different input formats so that ELSTER can be used internationally. For this reason, date fields are not designed with the corresponding HTML elements, as this only allows a fixed format. Alternatively, the desired date can be entered manually in the input field.
Some input fields in which personal data is requested are currently not marked with the "autocomplete" attribute to semantically determine the purpose of the input. Automatic completion is deliberately omitted, as in certain cases the information is not entered by the data subject themselves, but on behalf of another person.

No content is offered in German sign language on this website. Video content is provided with subtitles. The information contained therein is also provided in text form on the website.

When using the chat area with a Screenreader, it can happen that messages that have already been read out are displayed again in full. This can occur if the feedback button is pressed after a message or the language is changed because new content is announced.

When using the highlighting function, the highlighting field can be controlled via the keyboard. The required key combinations differ depending on the operating system and the Screenreader Software used.

macOS (with and without Screenreader) and Windows (without Screenreader)

• When the selection field is in focus: Press the space bar or Enter to start the ZÜ process.
• During the dragging process: Use the arrow keys to move or adjust the selection field.
• To confirm the selection: Press the space bar or Enter.

Windows with Screenreader

• When the selection field is in focus: Press Alt + Enter to start the ZÜ process.
• During the dragging process: Hold down Alt and also use the arrow keys to move the selection field.
• To confirm the selection: Press Alt + Enter again.

Screenreader users on mobile devices

The two corner points and the selection rectangle of the marking function can be accessed via swipe gestures when the Screenreader is activated.

• If the focus is on a corner point:
  Double-tap (on the focused corner point or a non-interactive element) and then hold your finger down to move the corner point.
• If the focus is on the selection rectangle:
  Double-tap (on the rectangle or a non-interactive element) and then hold your finger down to move the entire selection field.

Keyboard users on mobile devices

The corner points and the selection rectangle of the marking function can also be controlled via a Bluetooth keyboard.

• If an element is in focus:
  PressEnter or the space bar to start the dragging process.
• During the dragging process:
  Use the arrow keys to move the focused corner point or the selection rectangle.
• To end the dragging process:
  Press Enter or the space bar again.

You can use the contact options listed below to report deficiencies with regard to compliance with accessibility requirements and to obtain information about content that is excluded from the statutory provisions.

Report barriers to ELSTER - your online tax office:

By e-mail: info@elster.de

As part of an enforcement procedure, you have the option of submitting an online Application for verification of compliance with accessibility requirements to place.

Contact details of the enforcement body:

Landesamt für Digitalisierung, Breitband und Vermessung
IT-Dienstleistungszentrum des Freistaats Bayern
Durchsetzungs- und Überwachungsstelle für barrierefreie Informationstechnik
St.-Martin-Straße 47
81541 München
E-Mail: bitv@bayern.de
Internet: ldbv.bayern.de/digitalization/bitv.html