CHECK24 Steuer and the Finanzfluss Ranking: Does It Fit the Self-Employed?

Per its own site, CHECK24 Steuer is "completely free" and lists the self-employed as a target group. Finanzfluss ranks it first. Neither site mentions the EÜR (profit statement) or VAT, so check that before you commit. As of 29 October 2026.

Last updated: 29 October 2026. All statements come from steuer.check24.de and finanzfluss.de, retrieved on 29 October 2026; this is not a rating of these providers.

In short

CHECK24 Steuer: free per its site (EUR 0.00), sent through the ELSTER interface.
Finanzfluss: first place with grade 4.8, as of 1 October 2026; the page does not mention EÜR or VAT and uses affiliate links.
Your check: does the program include the EÜR, trade tax and, if needed, the VAT return?

What does CHECK24 say about CHECK24 Steuer?

On steuer.check24.de (CHECK24 Steuer):

Price: "Ja, CHECK24 Steuer ist komplett kostenlos" (yes, completely free). The page shows EUR 0.00 for single and joint assessment.
Target group: employees, students, trainees, pensioners, investors, landlords and the self-employed ("Selbständige").
Transmission: the return is sent "directly through the official ELSTER interface to the tax office".
Tax years: 2025 (marked "NEU"), 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Not mentioned: freelancers, trade business, EÜR and VAT do not appear on the page retrieved; it names no restriction either.

What this means for you: The page says "self-employed", but whether EÜR and VAT are included is something to ask the provider.

What does Finanzfluss say about tax software?

The Finanzfluss page "best tax software", updated 1 October 2026 per the page, says among other things (Finanzfluss):

Program	Grade per Finanzfluss
CHECK24 Steuer	4.8 ("Sehr gut"), first place
WISO Steuer	4.7
Smartsteuer	4.2

More statements on the page:

Its FAQ calls CHECK24 Steuer the best tax software.
Per the page, CHECK24 Steuer, WISO Steuer and Smartsteuer can also help the self-employed and freelancers; it suggests considering a tax adviser.
It says most tax apps are not suited to traders or the self-employed.
The links are affiliate links per the page; Finanzfluss earns a commission.
The page retrieved does not mention EÜR or VAT.

What this means for you: The ranking says something about ease of use and price, not about whether your VAT return or EÜR is included.

Which returns must a program handle for you?

Income tax with the Anlage EÜR: you send the EÜR electronically (§ 60 para. 4 EStDV).
Trade tax return: for a trade business, electronically (§ 14a GewStG).
VAT return (Voranmeldung): as a regular VAT payer, electronically (§ 18 para. 1 UStG).

If one is missing, you need a second tool, for example Mein ELSTER (ELSTER or software).

What this means for you: Tick off the three returns before you spend time on a program.

When does VAT GPT fit better?

VAT GPT is our product and is built for Amazon and eBay sellers. The method: Upload – check – send.

Upload: Amazon and eBay reports as CSV, plus invoices; the AI reads amounts, countries and tax rates.
Check: you review and confirm the values.
Send: with Pro through ELSTER to the tax office, the OSS return to the BZSt.

Free has basic functions and is free, Go gives 30 days of all Pro functions for free, Pro costs EUR 49 per month or EUR 444 per year, incl. VAT. VAT GPT is not tax advice. Try for free

What this means for you: With marketplace reports and OSS sales, a tool that reads them fits better.

Frequently asked questions

Is a tax program via CHECK24 worth it? Per its site it is free and sends through the ELSTER interface. Whether EÜR and VAT are included, the site does not say.

Which tax software does Finanzfluss recommend? Per Finanzfluss (as of 1 October 2026) CHECK24 Steuer at 4.8, WISO Steuer at 4.7 and Smartsteuer at 4.2.

Is the Finanzfluss recommendation independent? The page itself says its links are affiliate links.

Do I need a different program as a self-employed person? Only if your program lacks the EÜR, trade tax return or VAT return you file.