WISO Steuer
German tax software from Buhl Data Service with free trial and fixed prices
At a glance
| Company | Buhl Data Service GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Personal Tax Filing Apps |
| Headquarters | Neunkirchen (Siegerland), Germany |
| Founded | Not stated |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Own servers at the company site in Germany (as stated on the product page) |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Instant refund view, error check before filing, AI adviser SteuerGPT, tax coaching, officially recognised data transmission (section 87c AO), sync across devices |
| Pricing | Trial EUR 0.00; yearly plan EUR 39.99; single purchase EUR 49.99 (buhl.de/wiso-steuer) |
| Best For | German taxpayers who want a long-established program with a free trial and a flat price |
| Replaces | TurboTax |
Full review
WISO Steuer is a tax return program for Germany made by Buhl Data Service GmbH, based at Am Siebertsweiher 3/5 in Neunkirchen (Siegerland). The company states that the software itself comes from Buhl and that WISO is a licence partner for the brand.
The product page says more than 6 million people use WISO Steuer. Users can try all functions free and are asked to pay only when they submit the return.
What does WISO Steuer cost?
Buhl Data Service lists three options on the WISO Steuer page. The trial costs EUR 0.00 and lets users try everything before filing.
The yearly plan costs EUR 39.99 and can be cancelled at any time. A single purchase for one tax year costs EUR 49.99.
Which help does WISO Steuer include?
WISO Steuer includes an AI adviser called SteuerGPT, tax coaching and an error check before submission. A helpline for technical questions is part of the yearly plan.
The page also lists help with a wrong tax assessment and data transmission recognised under section 87c AO.
Where does WISO Steuer sit against TurboTax?
TurboTax offers tiers from a free edition to full-service experts for US returns. WISO Steuer covers German income tax and keeps data on servers at the company site in Germany.
WISO Steuer lists no expert-prepared tier on the page we read, only the AI adviser and coaching.
Where it falls short
WISO Steuer files German returns only, and the plan list on the product page shows no tier where a tax adviser files for you. The page does not state how long the free trial or yearly plan renews, beyond "cancel at any time". Hosting is stated as own servers in Germany without naming a data centre.
Is WISO Steuer right for you?
German-resident employees, self-employed people and pensioners who want an established desktop-and-web program, a free trial and a fixed price under EUR 50.
Strengths and weaknesses
Pros
- Free trial with all functions before paying
- Public prices of EUR 39.99 and EUR 49.99
- Own servers at the company location in Germany
- AI adviser and tax coaching included
- Operator named in imprint with court register entry
Cons
- Germany only
- No expert-prepared filing tier on the page we read
- Yearly plan is a subscription that must be cancelled
- Data centre operator not named on the pages we read
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free trial with all functions before paying
- Public prices of EUR 39.99 and EUR 49.99
- Own servers at the company location in Germany
- AI adviser and tax coaching included
- Operator named in imprint with court register entry
Cons
- Germany only
- No expert-prepared filing tier on the page we read
- Yearly plan is a subscription that must be cancelled
- Data centre operator not named on the pages we read
Alternatives to WISO Steuer
More European personal tax filing apps you can weigh against it:
See all European personal tax filing apps or compare them directly against TurboTax on our alternatives page.
Questions buyers ask
Yes, for German taxpayers. WISO Steuer is made by Buhl Data Service GmbH in Neunkirchen, Germany, and prepares German income tax returns.
The product page lists EUR 0.00 for the trial, EUR 39.99 for the yearly plan and EUR 49.99 for a single purchase.
Yes. The FAQ says all functions can be tried for free, and you are asked to buy only when you submit the return.