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Your tax identification number (Steuer-ID) is an 11-digit number that stays with you for life. Your employer needs it to run payroll at the correct tax rate — without it, you may be taxed at the highest bracket until it's supplied and then reconciled.
Who this applies to
- Applies to: anyone working — or about to work — in Germany.
- Also relevant if: you're setting up as self-employed (you'll also encounter the Steuernummer).
- Not covered here: filing your annual tax return.
Requirements
- A completed Anmeldung — the tax ID is triggered by registering your address.
- A working postal address (the number is sent by letter).
Step-by-step
1. Register your address
The tax office is notified automatically when you complete your Anmeldung.
2. Wait for the letter
Your Steuer-ID is then sent by post to your registered address.
3. Your employer uses it for payroll
Payroll can often start provisionally and correct your tax class once the number arrives; any overpayment is reconciled.
Where this fits depends on your timeline.
The tax ID is issued the same way for everyone, but when it matters, what it blocks, and how it lines up with your start date and other steps differ for each relocation. A static guide can't place it in your personal sequence; software can, so you know what to do while you wait for it and how it affects your first payroll.
Timeline
Complete your Anmeldung
Triggers the tax ID automatically.Steuer-ID arrives by post
Sent to your registered address afterwards.
Required documents
You don't submit anything for your tax ID — it's issued automatically after your Anmeldung. If you need to retrieve it because the letter didn't arrive, you'll just need your ID and registered address (see below).
Common mistakes
- The employer is sometimes not told the number is on its way.
- The letter is missed when the recipient's name is not on the mailbox at the registered address.
- The Steuer-ID and the Steuernummer are sometimes confused.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a tax ID in Germany?
Do I have to apply for it?
What if it doesn't arrive?
How long is it valid?
This is general information about German rules and procedures, not tax or legal advice. For your own situation, speak to a Steuerberater or a lawyer.
Related guides
Can I Get a German Tax ID Without Anmeldung?
Usually no — the German tax ID (Steuer-ID) is issued automatically after you register your address (Anmeldung). Here's the exception and the process in the meantime.
How Long Does the German Tax ID Take After Anmeldung?
Your German tax ID (Steuer-ID) typically arrives by post 2–3 weeks after Anmeldung, sometimes longer. Here's the timeline and what to do if it's late.
German Tax Number vs Tax ID — Which One Do You Need?
The German tax ID (Steuer-ID) is your lifelong personal number for employment; the tax number (Steuernummer) comes from your local tax office for freelancing or a new company.
Anmeldung in Germany: How to Register Your Address
What the Anmeldung is, why it unlocks your tax ID, bank account, and residence permit, the documents you need, and how to book the appointment.
How to Open a Bank Account in Germany
The documents you need to open a German bank account, the difference between traditional and online banks, and how to get set up for salary, rent, and direct debits.
Residence Permits in Germany: How to Apply
The difference between an entry visa and a residence permit, what the immigration office expects, how appointments work, and how to keep your stay legal while you wait.
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