What Is the BSFZ Portal?
The BSFZ Portal (Bescheinigungsstelle Forschungszulage) is the official online platform where companies submit their application for an R&D certificate. This certificate is the first step to receiving the Forschungszulage (R&D tax credit) — without it, no tax office application is possible.
Online Portal
Fully digital application process — no paper, no mail, everything through your browser.
ELSTER Login
Secure authentication via your existing ELSTER certificate or Mein-ELSTER account.
3–6 Months
Processing time after submission — track the status directly in the portal.
This guide walks you through registration, application, and tracking in the BSFZ portal step by step. For general information on the process, read our application guide.
Step 1: Registering on the BSFZ Portal
Before submitting an application, you need to register on the portal once.
.pfx file) or access via Mein ELSTER. If you don’t have an ELSTER account yet, apply at elster.de — activation takes approximately 2 weeks.Tip: Have your commercial register extract, tax number, and industry classification (WZ code) ready. This information is required during registration and must exactly match your tax office records.
Step 2: Filling Out the Application Form
After logging in, you can start the application form via “Create new application.” The application is divided into several sections:
You can save your draft at any time and continue later. The draft status is preserved in the portal.
Step 3: The Project Description — the Heart of Your Application
The project description is the decisive part of your BSFZ application. It must clearly demonstrate that your project meets the three R&D criteria:
Novelty
Describe what new knowledge or capabilities are being sought beyond the current state of the art.
Technical Risk
Explain the technical uncertainty: Why was success not guaranteed at the start of the project?
Structure of a Strong Project Description
- Starting point & state of the art — What existed before? Where are the limits of existing solutions?
- Objective — What new technical result is being pursued?
- Technical challenge — What uncertainties existed? What could have failed?
- Approach & methodology — How was research conducted systematically? What iterations occurred?
- Results & exploitation — What was achieved? How are the results being used?
An experienced Forschungszulage advisor formulates the project description so that the R&D criteria are immediately apparent to BSFZ reviewers — significantly increasing approval rates.
Step 4: Submission & Status Tracking
Once all sections are complete, you can submit the application.
Submission
- Review all entries using the preview function
- Click “Submit application” — changes are no longer possible after this
- You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number
- One application can be submitted per fiscal year
Track Status
- Received — Application has been received
- Under review — BSFZ reviewer is processing the application
- Query — The BSFZ needs additional information
- Decided — Certificate or rejection has been issued
Important regarding queries: Respond to BSFZ queries within 4 weeks. Delays significantly extend processing time. Responses are submitted directly in the portal under the relevant application.
Step 5: After the Certificate — What Comes Next
Once the BSFZ has positively certified your R&D projects, the second part of the funding process follows: the tax office application (Finanzamtsantrag).
of eligible R&D costs (35% for SMEs)
assessment base per fiscal year
maximum funding per year
Checklist for the Tax Office Application
- BSFZ certificate (download from the portal)
- Personnel costs breakdown (gross salaries + employer contributions, R&D share)
- Complete time tracking per employee and project
- Owner contributions (flat rate €100/hour)
- Contract research (70% of costs eligible)
- Material costs documentation (eligible since 2024)
Our advisors work on a success-based fee model and support you from the project description in the BSFZ portal through to the tax office application — schedule your free consultation now.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BSFZ Portal
Yes. In the BSFZ portal, you can create any number of R&D projects within one application per fiscal year. Each project receives its own description. It is recommended to submit all projects for a given year together to minimize administrative overhead.
Yes, via the authorization feature in the portal, you can grant third parties — such as tax advisors or specialized Forschungszulage advisors — access to your application. The authorized person also needs an ELSTER certificate.
Yes, retroactive applications are possible for up to 4 years. In the BSFZ portal, simply select the relevant fiscal year. You can also submit multiple annual applications in parallel — ideal if you have just discovered the Forschungszulage.
You need a current browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), an ELSTER certificate, and a stable internet connection. The portal is not available as a mobile app — usage is exclusively via desktop browser. Application data is stored server-side; no local installation is required.