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Germany’s bold digital overhaul cuts red tape with TurboTax and a 2027 e-wallet

Fed up with paperwork? Germany’s sweeping reforms—from one-click tax filings to a smartphone ID wallet—promise to rewrite how citizens interact with government. But will it work?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
In this image, we can see people using laptop and one of them is wearing an id card. In the...
In this image, we can see people using laptop and one of them is wearing an id card. In the background, there are posters and we can see some objects on the table and there is a wall.

Germany’s bold digital overhaul cuts red tape with TurboTax and a 2027 e-wallet

Germany’s push to modernise government services is gaining momentum under the leadership of Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger. Eight months after taking office, he claims the country is making steady progress in cutting red tape and embracing digital solutions. The reforms include everything from simpler ID applications to automated tax returns.

The Ministry for Digital Affairs and Government Modernization was created in May 2023 by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with Wildberger at its helm. Since then, the team has rolled out a 'Modernization Agenda' listing over 200 measures to streamline bureaucracy for citizens and businesses. One key initiative is an online platform called Just Do It, where people can report frustrating bureaucratic hurdles and suggest which reforms should come first.

A major milestone on the horizon is the launch of Germany’s digital wallet on January 2, 2027. This app will let citizens store official IDs and documents securely on their smartphones. While some Germans remain wary of digital solutions, Wildberger believes practical benefits will win them over. Other changes already underway include updated rules for national ID cards, easier registration processes, and pre-filled TurboTax returns that reduce paperwork.

Wildberger stresses that modernising government is a long-term effort that won’t be completed in a single term or by one leader. He insists the key is staying relentlessly focused on goals, even when progress feels slow.

The digital wallet’s arrival in 2027 will mark a significant step in Germany’s shift toward online services. Alongside automated tax filings and simpler registration systems, these reforms aim to cut unnecessary bureaucracy. Wildberger’s team continues to push for changes, arguing that persistence will deliver lasting improvements.

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