The tax ID (Steuer-ID) is a personal number for taxes. Its full name is tax identification number (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer). It has 11 digits. Everyone who is registered at an address in Germany gets this number. This includes children. You do not need to apply for the tax ID. It arrives automatically by post after you have registered your address. The letter is sent by the Federal Central Tax Office (Bundeszentralamt für Steuern). This is a federal authority, meaning a government office for all of Germany. The tax ID is important because your employer needs it. Your employer uses the number to calculate your wage tax (Lohnsteuer). This is the tax that your employer deducts directly from your wages and pays to the tax office (Finanzamt). The tax office is the tax authority for your area. Your tax ID stays the same for your whole life. It does not change if you move or get married.
What you need
- Registration of your address. You do this at the citizens' office (Bürgeramt). The citizens' office is the office in your town where you register your address. In some places it is also called the residents' registration office (Einwohnermeldeamt). You can read more on the page Registering your address.
- An address where you receive post. Your name must be clearly readable on the letterbox.
- Your passport or ID card (Personalausweis). You will need it if you later ask an office for your number.
- For children: Your children must also be registered. Then each child gets their own tax ID.
Step by step
- Register your address at the citizens' office. Make sure your name is spelled exactly as it is in your passport.
- Put your name on the letterbox. If you live with someone else, add your name to theirs. Otherwise the post cannot deliver the letter.
- Wait for the letter. It usually arrives a few weeks after you register. The sender on the envelope is the Federal Central Tax Office.
- Check the letter. Are your name, date of birth and address correct? If something is wrong, contact the citizens' office, because the data comes from there.
- Keep the letter in a safe place. Also take a photo or make a copy.
- Give the number to your employer. It is best to do this before your first day at work or right at the start. Your employer also needs your date of birth.
- Give the number to other places too when they ask for it. For example, the family benefits office (Familienkasse) for child benefit, your bank, or the tax office for your tax return.
Costs and deadlines
- Costs: The tax ID is free. You do not pay anything for it.
- Application: There is no deadline, because you do not need to apply. The number arrives automatically after you register.
- Waiting time: Expect it to take a few weeks for the letter to arrive.
- Employer: Give the number to your employer as early as possible. Without a tax ID, your employer can often only calculate your wage tax using tax class 6 (Steuerklasse 6). The tax class is a group that determines how much wage tax you pay. With tax class 6, employers usually deduct more tax. In many cases, you can get back any tax you overpaid by filing a tax return.
Common problems for newcomers
You do not have a registered address yet. A registered address (Meldeadresse) is the address where you are registered with the citizens' office. Without registration, you will not get a tax ID. So take care of your registration first. For this you usually need a landlord's confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). This is a form in which your landlord confirms that you live there. Ask your landlord for it early.
The letter does not arrive. First check that your name is on the letterbox. Wait a few weeks. If the letter still has not arrived, you can request the number again from the Federal Central Tax Office. You can do this using a form on the office's website. Even then, the number is only sent by post. For data protection reasons, the office does not give it out by phone or email. You can also ask at your tax office. Bring your passport with you.
Your job starts before the number arrives. Tell your employer openly that you are still waiting for the letter. Give them the number as soon as you have it. They can then calculate your wage tax correctly.
You moved after registering. Your tax ID stays the same. But the letter goes to your registered address. So register your new address at the citizens' office quickly. Ask your old landlord or neighbours to look out for post for you.
You mix up the numbers. There are several numbers in Germany. The tax ID has 11 digits and always stays the same. The tax number (Steuernummer) is something different. It comes from the tax office, for example when you file a tax return or are self-employed. The social security number (Sozialversicherungsnummer) is also something different. You need it for your pension and social insurance. Your employer often asks for both numbers: the tax ID and the social security number.
You do not understand much German. The letter is in German. The most important thing is the 11-digit number. If you are unsure, ask someone who speaks good German for help. Advice centres for immigrants in your town can also explain the letter to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to apply for the tax ID?
No. The number arrives automatically by post when you register in Germany for the first time.
Does my tax ID change if I move?
No. Your tax ID stays the same for your whole life. However, you must register your new address at the citizens' office.
Do my children also get a tax ID?
Yes. Each child gets their own number after being registered. The family benefits office needs it when you apply for child benefit. The family benefits office is the office that pays child benefit.
Where can I find the number if I have lost the letter?
The number is also on your annual wage tax statement (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung). This is a document from your employer showing your wages and the tax paid. It is also on notices (Bescheide) from the tax office. You can also request the number again from the Federal Central Tax Office.
Do I need the tax ID for a bank account?
The bank will usually ask for the number. But as a rule, you can open an account before the number arrives. Then give it to the bank later. You can read more under Opening a bank account.