'Steuer-ID in Germany: How to Obtain and Where to Find Your Tax
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The Steuer-ID, or steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, is a permanent tax identifier for individuals in Germany. It is required for employment, filing tax returns, communicating with the Finanzamt, banking procedures, and many automated tax processes. The number is assigned once and usually remains with the individual for life.
In Russian-speaking circles, the Steuer-ID is often referred to as the equivalent of the INN. This is an understandable comparison, but the German system works differently: in addition to the Steuer-ID, there are the Steuernummer, USt-IdNr., and other numbers for specific tax situations.
Commonly used abbreviations:
- IdNr.;
- Steuer-IdNr.;
- Steuer-ID;
- TIN or Tax Identification Number.
The husband’s and wife’s IDs are listed at the top of the tax office’s response to the filing of a joint tax return.
Who Is Assigned a Steuer-ID
The Steuer-ID is assigned to individuals who are registered in Germany or participate in German tax procedures. In practice, most newcomers receive the number after their initial registration of residence—the Anmeldung.
For children born in Germany, the number is usually assigned automatically after data is transferred from the registration authority. For adults who have moved to Germany, the key step is to register at their place of residence ().
How to Obtain a Steuer-ID After Registration
After registration (Anmeldung), the data is transferred to the tax system, and the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) sends a notification with the IdNr. by mail. A separate application is usually not required under standard circumstances.
The delivery time for the letter depends on the city, the workload of the authorities, and the accuracy of the address. Therefore, it’s safer not to promise a fixed number of days. If the letter hasn’t arrived, first check whether the name on the mailbox and the registered address are correct.
What to Do If You Need the Number Urgently
If you need your Steuer-ID for an employer, a bank, or another procedure, but the letter hasn’t arrived yet, there are several options:
- Check documents where the number may already appear: a tax assessment notice (Bescheid), a wage tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung), letters from the tax office (Finanzamt), or documents from your employer.
- Request a reissue of the IdNr. via the BZSt online form. The number is usually sent by mail to the registered address; it is not provided over the phone or via regular email.
- Check with your local Finanzamt, Bürgerbüro, or Rathaus to see if they can issue a certificate or printout. This depends on local practices, so it’s best to check in advance in your city.
An official online request via the BZSt is appropriate when a number has already been assigned but the person does not know it or has lost the letter. This is not a way to expedite the initial registration of the data itself.
The Federal Tax Office’s online service allows you to request a reissuance of your IdNr. via the internet.
Steuer-ID Format
The Steuer-ID consists of 11 digits. The number is not intended to encode a date of birth, place of birth, or other personal characteristics. The last digit is a check digit and helps identify input errors.
In everyday life, it’s enough to know three things:
- The number consists solely of digits;
- It consists of 11 characters;
- It cannot be changed at will and should not be disclosed unnecessarily.
The detailed technical rules for generating the number are primarily important for government agencies, software programs, and verification systems.
Validity Period
The Steuer-ID is issued for the long term and does not change when moving within Germany, changing tax offices, changing employers, or leaving the country. The data may be retained even after the taxpayer’s death, within the time limits established by tax law.
Where to Find Your Steuer-ID
The Steuer-ID can usually be found in the following documents:
- a letter from the BZSt regarding the assignment of the IdNr.;
- a tax assessment from the Finanzamt — Steuerbescheid;
- Lohnsteuerbescheinigung;
- employer documents regarding electronic tax withholding—ELStAM;
- in individual letters from the Finanzamt;
- Sometimes in banking documents or the Freistellungsauftrag settings, if the bank has already requested and saved the number.
If you need a number for work, provide your employer with your Steuer-ID, not your Steuernummer. These are different identifiers.
What Is the Steuer-ID Used For?
The Steuer-ID is used to uniquely identify an individual in tax-related processes. It is required when an employer reports payroll data, when filing a tax return in Germany (), when the Finanzamt links documents to a specific taxpayer, and in a number of banking and social security procedures.
The data that may be linked to the IdNr. in the tax system includes the individual’s name, former names, date and place of birth, gender, current or last known address in Germany, and the responsible tax authority. The use of the Steuer-ID is restricted by law and should not be treated as a free-for-all universal number for any private purposes.
Steuer-ID and Bank Accounts
When opening and maintaining a bank account in Germany 10_PUBLISHED/content/en/Girokonto in Germany how to open choose and use your account safely, the bank may request your Steuer-ID. This is due to the tax obligations of financial institutions, including those related to interest, the Freistellungsauftrag, and the automatic exchange of information.
If you’ve just arrived and haven’t received your Steuer-ID yet, check with your bank to see if you can open an account now and provide the number later. Procedures vary by bank.
Steuer-ID, Steuernummer, and USt-IdNr.: What’s the Difference?
| Number | For whom | Where used | Does it change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steuer-ID / IdNr. | Individual | Employment, tax return, Finanzamt, certain banking procedures | Usually none |
| Steuernummer | Taxpayer or tax file at a specific Finanzamt | Tax returns, business activities, specific tax processes | May change when switching Finanzamts or due to a change in tax status |
| USt-IdNr. | Entrepreneurs and companies that need a VAT number in the EU | VAT transactions between EU countries | Usually linked to a business |
The Steuernummer does not replace the Steuer-ID. If an employer or bank asks for an “IdNr.,” the 13-digit Steuernummer with slashes will not work.
History of the Introduction of the Steuer-ID
The Steuer-ID was introduced as a single tax identifier for individuals. Mass issuance began after data was transferred from registration authorities and duplicates were verified. References to the eTIN may be found in older documents, but for modern payroll procedures, the Steuer-ID is the key identifier.
The IdNr is listed on a citizen’s electronic Lohnsteuerkarte, a printout of which the employer provides at the end of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a Steuer-ID over the phone?
Usually not. For data protection reasons, the BZSt does not disclose the IdNr. over the phone or via regular email. A replacement notice is sent by mail to the registered address.
Do you need to reapply for a Steuer-ID after moving?
No. When moving within Germany, your address changes and the responsible Finanzamt may change, but your Steuer-ID remains the same.
What should you do if your documents don’t include a Steuer-ID?
Request a resend via BZSt and check that the name on the mailbox is correct. If you need the number urgently, check with your local Finanzamt or Bürgerbüro to see what options are available.
Can you provide your Steuer-ID to a landlord or a private seller?
Usually, there is no need to provide it. Only share your Steuer-ID with organizations and agencies that are legally required to have it or need it for tax procedures: your employer, the Finanzamt, a bank, an insurance company, or another authorized party.
Steuer-ID on a German pay stub.
Key Points
The Steuer-ID is the basic tax number for living and working in Germany. After registration (Anmeldung), it is usually sent by mail, and if the number is lost, it can be reissued through the BZSt. Keep your Steuer-ID with your important documents, distinguish it from the Steuernummer, and do not disclose it without a valid reason.
