Steuer-ID and Finanzamt: first steps in the tax system
The tax number (Steuer-ID) is needed for work, benefits and accounts. What it is, where it comes from and what it is for.
The Steuer-ID (Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer) is your permanent 11-digit tax number. It is needed for employment, for many benefits (Kindergeld, Elterngeld) and for communicating with the tax office (Finanzamt).
What is important to know:
- the Steuer-ID is assigned once and does not change during your lifetime;
- after registering your place of residence (Anmeldung) it is sent by post in a letter within a few weeks;
- it is not the same as the Steuernummer, which the tax office issues to entrepreneurs for a specific activity.
What to do:
- if the letter has been lost, the number can be requested again from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) or found in your employer's documents;
- for your own business the tax office assigns a separate Steuernummer via the «Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung» form on the ELSTER portal;
- the Finanzamt for your place of residence answers tax questions.
The details depend on your situation — check them against an official source.
Official sources
This article is a general guide in Ukrainian, not legal or tax advice. Rules may differ from one federal state to another and may change over time; always check the official sources listed below or contact the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
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