Following the example of many of its neighbours in the European Union, Germany has modernized its tax system and the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Government have simplified the taxation procedure and reduced bureaucracy. As one of the results of this modernization, each resident gets tax identification number in Germany, or Steuer ID in German.
In this article we will touch upon:
- German tax identification number (Steuer ID or IdNr) definition
- How to get a German tax identification number (Steuer ID or IdNr)
- Difference between Steuer ID and Steuernummer
- FAQ about Steuer ID in Germany
What is a German tax identification number (Steuer ID)?
Since 2007, everyone who lives in Germany has been issued with a tax ID number that they will use for the rest of their lives and that belongs only to that person. This means that whether you get married, change your name, get divorced or move to another city, your tax identification number stays the same. It is stored at the Federal Central Tax Office for Taxes – there under the designation “Personal Identification Number”. Even babies receive a number in the post shortly after they are born.
In Germany, the Steuer ID is your permanent tax identification number and consists of 11 digits “12 345 678 901”. This number is also called
- Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer;
- Persönliche Identificationsnummer;
- Identifikationsnummer;
- Steuer-IdNr.;
- IdNr;
- Steuer-ID in Germany.
However, in Germany the tax identification number (Steuer-IdNr.) and the tax number (Steuernummer) are different.
What does the IdNr do?
The IdNr in Germany (tax identification number) is used by the tax office (Finanzamt) to identify you. This number is needed by your employer to pay your salary and to calculate the amount of tax you have to pay. You will also need this number when you file your tax return in Germany.
If you do not have a tax ID, you will be charged the maximum tax rate until you get one. Afterwards, you can file a tax return and get a refund for the money you overpaid.
How to get an IdNr?
When you register to live in Germany for the first time, you will automatically receive your tax ID number by post at the address where you registered to live. After you have successfully registered your residence and received your registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung), it takes two to three weeks to receive your tax ID number.
If you have already registered your tax identification number (IdNr) in Germany, where can you get it again?
If for some reason you have never received your tax ID or have lost it, you can request it again. There are two ways we recommend for this:
- Go to the nearest Finanzamt and request your tax ID number. You do not need to make an appointment, but make sure you have documents to identify you (such as a passport and/or residence permit)
- Fill in this form provided by Finanzamt and Finanzamt will send you a letter with your tax ID number. This process takes up to 4 weeks and they will send the letter with the tax identification number to your official residence address.
How to get a German tax identification number from Finanzamt?
As mentioned, first you need to click on this official link from Bundeszentralamt für Steuern to get access to the form. In the first step, you need to fill your first name, surname, date of birth and place of birth. Please be careful that “Name” field in the first column is actually your surname.
In step 2 below, you need to fill in your official registration address. So, you have to use the address where you made the official city registration (Anmeldung). Please do not forget to accept the privacy notice at the end.
In Step 3 below, you will get a notification saying that Finanzamt had received your application. From this point onwards, just our your mailbox for the official letter.
How can I find my tax identification number in Germany?
In Germany, your tax identification number (Steuer-ID) can be found through several methods:
- It is sent to you by mail shortly after your registration (Anmeldung) as you see in the picture below. Check for the Persönliche Identifikationsnummer field.
- You can find it on your previous tax returns or tax assessments from the tax office (Finanzamt).
- It is printed on your payslip or income statement (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung) from your employer. Check for the Steuer-ID field.
These are the most common ways to locate your Steuer-ID in Germany.
Frequently asked questions about tax identification number and tax number in Germany
In this chapter, we will answer frequently asked questions and provide answers about tax identification numbers and tax identification in Germany.
How do I get a tax identification number without an anmeldung?
If you are unable to register your address in Germany for any reason (of course it must be acceptable to the authorities), fill out this official form and mail it to your local Finanzamt together with a copy of your passport. You will receive your tax ID by post 2 to 4 weeks later.
Is a Steuer-ID required to start working in Germany?
You do not need a tax ID to start working. Your employer needs your tax ID number to calculate your salary income tax. If you do not have a tax ID number, your employer will put you in tax class 6 and you will pay more tax until you report your tax number. However, you will get this money back when you file your tax return.
Are the tax number (Steuernummer) and the tax identification number (Steuer-IdNr.) the same in Germany?
Note that the tax identification number (Steuer-IdNr.) is not the same as the tax number (Steuernummer). The tax number (sometimes called freelance tax number) is used by freelancers for invoicing and tax returns and has the form 00/000/00000.
The tax number is related to where you live and the tax office (Finanzamt) responsible for you, so if you change your address, your tax number may also change.
Where can I find a tax ID number in Germany?
If you already have a tax ID in Germany, you can find your tax ID number on your income tax report (Einkommensteuerbescheid) and payslips (Gehaltsabrechnung). Your employer and tax advisor will also know your tax ID number.
Now that you know the details about the tax ID number, you can watch our videos on YouTube where we discuss tax in Germany from A to Z.
Spending the early years of my professional life in Turkey, I was fortunate to move to Germany after receiving an offer from Deutsche Telekom. This opportunity led me to work on various consulting projects across regions like post-Kaddafi Libya and Russia.
Afterward, I pursued an MBA at INSEAD in France and joined a strategy consulting firm in Dubai, gaining experience across the Middle East, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Since returning to Germany in 2017, I have been volunteering my time to support Vasistdas alongside my professional career.
