Expat Unity

Steuer-ID: Your Tax Identification Number in Germany

In brief

  • The Steuer-ID (officially Identifikationsnummer, IdNr) is a personal 11-digit tax number. It is assigned once and does not change when you move, change your surname or marital status.
  • The number arrives by post after you register your address (Anmeldung). It is sent by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).
  • You can find the number on your Lohnsteuerbescheinigung (wage tax certificate) and your Einkommensteuerbescheid (income tax assessment).
  • If the letter does not arrive, you can request the number again on the BZSt website or by letter. It is only sent by post.
  • The Steuer-ID and the Steuernummer are different numbers.

Checked against official sources: 19 October 2026.

What the Steuer-ID is and how it differs from the Steuernummer

The Steuer-ID is the number that identifies you as a person in the tax system. It is valid for life. The law allows only one such number per person, and each number is issued only once (§ 139b Abgabenordnung).

The Steuernummer is a different number. It is issued by the local tax office (Finanzamt) for specific tax purposes, for example for self-employed people and companies. An employee usually has a Steuer-ID, and a Steuernummer may be needed later if you start a business.

How the Steuer-ID arrives

After you register your address, your data is passed to the tax authority, and a letter with the number is sent by post to your registered address. So after moving, make sure your name is on your letterbox.

How to complete Anmeldung

Where to find your Steuer-ID

The number is usually shown:

  • in the letter from the BZSt that arrives after registration;
  • on the Lohnsteuerbescheinigung, the wage tax certificate issued by your employer;
  • on the Einkommensteuerbescheid, the income tax assessment.

What to do if the letter has not arrived

If you have not received the number or cannot find it, request it again using the form on the BZSt website or by letter. For data protection reasons, the number is only sent by post. Sending it to an address other than your registered one is only possible with your written power of attorney.

If you are not sure your address registration was completed correctly, check with the Bürgeramt.

Who needs your Steuer-ID

The number is requested by your employer so that wage tax is withheld correctly, and by banks and authorities, for example the Familienkasse when you apply for child benefit. You can file a tax return without the number: your Finanzamt knows it or can determine it.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for the Steuer-ID letter to arrive?

Usually 4–8 weeks after Anmeldung. If no letter arrives within 3 months, request the number again from the BZSt. Make sure your name is on the mailbox.

Does the Steuer-ID change after moving?

No. The number is assigned once and does not change when you move, change your surname or marital status.

Do children have a Steuer-ID?

Yes. The BZSt records include numbers for minor children. If you are a guardian and need the number of a child who does not live with you, the request is sent to the BZSt in writing using a special form.

Are the Steuer-ID and the Steuernummer the same thing?

No, they are different numbers. The Steuer-ID is a personal lifelong number, and the Steuernummer is issued by the Finanzamt for tax purposes.

Can I start working without a Steuer-ID?

Yes, you can. Your employer retrieves your tax data using your number and date of birth. If you do not give your employer the number, wage tax is withheld under tax class VI (Steuerklasse VI) (§ 39c Einkommensteuergesetz). So pass the number on to your employer as soon as you receive it.

Can I request my Steuer-ID by phone?

The number itself is not given out by phone: the BZSt only sends it by post. You can request it again via the form on the website or by letter.

Need help with the paperwork?

We will help you register your address and tell you what to do if the letter has not arrived. If your situation is non-standard, we will arrange a consultation with a Steuerberater (licensed tax adviser).

Help with relocation

Sources