German Tax ID (Steuer-ID): how to receive or recover it

1. What the Steuer-ID is

The Steueridentifikationsnummer, usually called Steuer-ID or IdNr, is an 11-digit personal identifier used by German tax authorities. It is assigned once and normally remains the same for life, including after you move, marry or change jobs.

It is different from a Steuernummer. The Tax ID identifies a person; a tax office may issue a separate tax number for a tax return, self-employment or a business matter.

2. What happens after Anmeldung

When you register your first German address, the registration authority passes the necessary details into the tax identification system. If you do not yet have an IdNr, one is assigned; if one already exists, the same number continues to apply.

The notice is sent to the registered postal address. Make sure your name is visible on the letterbox. A local registration confirmation is not the Tax ID letter and does not itself show the number.

1. 1

   Register your address

   Complete Anmeldung at the responsible local registration office.

2. 2

   Check your post

   Keep your name on the letterbox and retain the BZSt letter when it arrives.

3. 3

   Give the number to payroll

   Your employer uses it with your date of birth to retrieve the correct ELStAM payroll data.

3. What the Tax ID is used for

Employers use the IdNr to retrieve your electronic wage-tax characteristics. Tax offices also use it to match returns and correspondence to the correct person. Banks and benefit authorities may request it where tax reporting rules require it.

Treat it as sensitive personal information. Share it with organisations that have a legitimate administrative need, not with an unknown caller or an unverified job advertiser.

4. If it is lost or never arrives

First check documents you already hold: an income-tax assessment, wage-tax certificate or earlier official letter may show the IdNr. Your employer may have it in payroll records, but the employer cannot simply obtain it from the tax authority without the relevant legal basis.

If you still cannot find it, use the Federal Central Tax Office online request. For security, the BZSt sends the number to the registered address rather than displaying it immediately by email.