Skip to content
amtomatic
Language: English

Choose a language

What does Steuer-ID mean?

The Steuer-ID (tax ID) is your personal number for taxes in Germany. It has eleven digits and stays the same for life.

die Steuer-ID

You get it from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office). It usually comes soon after you first register your address in Germany.

Your employer and the Familienkasse need it, for example for your wages and for Kindergeld.

The Steuer-ID is not the Steuernummer (tax number). The Finanzamt gives you the Steuernummer, and it can change, for example after a move.

If you have lost your Steuer-ID, you can request it again from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern. It comes by post.

Example sentence

Bitte geben Sie Ihre steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) an.

Please give your tax identification number (Steuer-ID).

What you can do

Only give your Steuer-ID to organisations that really need it. Requests for it by text message or e-mail are often fraud.

  • Steuernummer The Steuernummer (tax number) is your number at your Finanzamt. It is at the top of the Finanzamt's letters and notices.
  • Steuerbescheid A Steuerbescheid (tax assessment) tells you how much tax you must pay or will get back. It usually comes from the Finanzamt.
  • Aktenzeichen The Aktenzeichen is the reference number under which an office keeps your case.