Verifying your identity ensures that your tax return is submitted securely, in compliance with the law, and without errors. It protects your personal data from unauthorized access and fulfills legal requirements to prevent fraud and money laundering.
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Accepted IDs: ID card, passport, driver’s license, residence permit – also accepted from abroad.
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Only live photos of the original document are allowed – no screenshots or scans.
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You’ll take a selfie and a photo of your ID directly in the app.
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Without successful verification, your tax return cannot be submitted to the tax office.
🚀 Your Guide
Which documents are accepted?
🆗 The following are accepted:
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National ID card
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Residence permit
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Passport
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Driver’s license
💡 Name change: Your ID still shows your old name (e.g., after marriage)? No problem – simply send us proof such as your marriage certificate by email. We’ll handle it manually.
Which foreign IDs are accepted?
🌍 Foreign versions of the above documents are accepted – no additional proof is required.
What types of files are allowed?
📸 To verify your identity securely, we require a live photo of the original document taken using your smartphone or computer camera.
🚫 Not accepted:
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Screenshots
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Printed copies
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Scanned images
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Photos taken from screens
Make sure your document is readable, not expired, and that you are the rightful owner.
Step-by-step: How the verification works
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Photograph your document: Open the app or browser, select the tax year, and follow the verification steps.
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Take a selfie: You’ll then be prompted to take a selfie.
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Submit: After a successful match, you’ll be able to submit your tax return.
💡 Tip for browser users: Verification works best on your smartphone. You can scan the QR code or request the link via SMS. Alternatively, use your computer’s camera if available.
Why was my verification rejected?
Common reasons:
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❗ Expired ID
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❗ Blurry or cropped images
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❗ Selfie does not match the ID photo
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❗ Incorrect document (not accepted)
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❗ Missing documents for jointly filed returns
📵 Note: Photos of screens (e.g., laptop displays) are not accepted. Please use your camera to take a direct, clear photo.
📬 If your name doesn’t match our records, we’ll contact you directly to resolve it.
What to do if technical errors occur
🛠️ Your verification failed even though everything seems correct? Possible reasons include:
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Your selfie does not match the photo on your ID.
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You did not use the original physical ID, or the image is blurry.
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The “Take selfie” option doesn’t appear? Click “Try manually” in the app to take the photo yourself.
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It’s not possible to upload files – only live photos of the original document are allowed.
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No smartphone? You need access to a camera (on smartphone or computer) – other methods are currently not supported.
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Make sure you're using the latest version of the app – older versions may cause errors.
What to do if you need assistance
👵 Feeling overwhelmed by the process? Ask someone you trust to guide you.
👤 Important: Only you are allowed to submit your tax return. Assistance is permitted, but you must be present during verification – unless someone holds an official power of attorney.
What if I’m a trans user?
🏳️⚧️ If your ID does not yet reflect your lived name, the automatic verification may fail. The system doesn’t discriminate – but technical issues may occur.
Please reach out to us. We will personally review your selfie and documents and approve them manually if necessary. Your experience matters, and we are committed to ensuring that you feel safe and respected throughout the process.
What happens if I don’t verify?
Without successful identity verification, we cannot submit your tax return to the tax office. It will remain saved in the app but will not be transmitted.
Please complete the verification process as soon as possible – it’s secure, legally required, and only takes a few minutes.
🚀 Fill out the simple question-answer flow - we'll take care of the rest!
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Contact our support team: support@taxfix.de