Submit E-Bilanz and handle disclosure separately

There are separate actions for testing an E-Bilanz, filing it with the tax office and preparing disclosure documents. None automatically completes the other two.

1. Review the test result

Open the annual close for the correct company and year. Use ELSTER test preview before finalising the books.

The returned test protocol is not proof of a binding filing. Review it and resolve errors before following the annual-close locking steps.

2. Submit the locked E-Bilanz

1. Open the reviewed close with status Locked.
2. Check company details, fiscal period and the final workbook one last time.
3. Choose Submit E-Bilanz.
4. Read the confirmation. This is a binding transmission to the tax office, not another preview.
5. Confirm only if you intend to file that exact close.
6. Check for the Filed status and submission timestamp, and download the transmission protocol.

An active subscription and the required account verification may be needed. If a service or validation error appears, use the error details to resolve it. If the result is uncertain, check status and contact support before attempting another transmission.

A filed annual close cannot simply be edited and recalled in the app. Contact support and your advisor about corrections rather than attempting to bypass the lock.

3. Treat disclosure as a separate task

After the close is locked, Offenlegung PDF downloads a disclosure document. Downloading it does not publish or deposit the accounts.

For financial years beginning after 31 December 2021, the relevant disclosure/deposit destination is the Unternehmensregister. Orders are placed through the publication platform or a supported software interface. Check the company's applicable disclosure requirements before using a condensed document. See the Unternehmensregister guidance.

Arrange disclosure yourself or with your advisor and keep its separate confirmation. Norman's PDF download is not that confirmation.

4. Continue to tax returns

E-Bilanz is not the corporate income tax return, trade tax return or annual VAT return. Open Taxes and review the applicable declarations separately.