Getting Your Tax ID (Steuer-ID)

The Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID or IdNr) is an 11-digit number that's uniquely yours for life in Germany. Think of it like a tax social security number.

The great news: you don't have to apply for it! After you complete your Anmeldung (city registration), the Bürgeramt automatically triggers the process. The Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office) will mail your Steuer-ID to your registered address within 2–4 weeks.

The letter is in German and looks official. Your 11-digit number is prominently displayed. Keep this letter safe — you'll need the number regularly.

You'll need your Steuer-ID for:

💼 Employment — Your employer needs it to process your payroll correctly. Without it, they'll withhold the maximum tax rate (Steuerklasse 6). You can start working and provide it later, but the sooner the better.

🏦 Bank accounts — Your bank is legally required to have your Steuer-ID on file (for tax reporting under CRS). Most let you open an account first and add it later.

📋 Tax returns — You'll need it for any Steuererklärung (tax return). Even as a student, filing a tax return can be worthwhile — you may get money back.

📄 BAföG and scholarship applications — These often require your Steuer-ID.

📌 Various official forms and applications.

The Steuer-ID stays the same for your entire life in Germany, even if you move cities or change jobs. You only get one, ever.

If more than 4 weeks have passed since your Anmeldung and you haven't received your Steuer-ID:

• Check with your building's mailbox setup — letters sometimes end up at the wrong door, especially in apartment buildings with shared mailboxes

• Request it online from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt): Fill out the form at the link below. They'll mail it to your registered address within a few weeks.

• Call the BZSt hotline: +49 228 406-1240 (Mon–Fri, German and English)

• Email: info@identifikationsmerkmal.de

Note: For data protection reasons, the BZSt will only mail the Steuer-ID to your registered address — they won't give it over the phone or email.

This trips up many people. Germany has TWO tax numbers:

1️⃣ Steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID / IdNr)
• 11 digits
• Assigned once, valid for life
• Issued automatically after Anmeldung
• Used for employment, banking, and most official purposes
• This is what you'll need 99% of the time

2️⃣ Steuernummer
• Format varies by state (like 12/345/67890)
• Assigned by your local Finanzamt (tax office)
• Used primarily for filing tax returns and for freelancers/self-employed
• Changes if you move to a different tax district
• You get this when you file your first tax return or register a business

As a student, you mainly need the Steuer-ID. You'll only need a Steuernummer if you start freelancing or file a tax return (at which point the Finanzamt assigns one automatically).