What is a Tax ID?
Every resident in Germany, whether you are an expat or a German citizen, is issued a "tax ID" number that they can use for their entire life.
The tax ID (also commonly referred to as a Steueridentifikationsnummer, steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, Steuer-IdNr., IdNr. or Steuer-ID) consists of 11 numbers in the format 00 000 000 000. Your Tax ID can be located on documents similar to the example below:
This number is required by your employer to calculate the amount of tax you need to pay from your monthly salary. If you do not have a tax ID you will be charged the maximum rate of tax until you get one.
How to receive your Tax ID?
If you're new to Germany or haven't had a Tax ID given to you yet, the process is really easy.
Once you register your address and get your Anmeldung, you usually get your Tax ID in the mail after about 2 weeks.
You can also contact the Finanzamt in the district you live in and they will tell you your Tax ID.
If you have misplaced, lost or forgotten your Tax ID, click here: bzst.de
Once you apply, please take a screenshot of the finished Tax ID application to prove that you've already applied. With it, we can proceed with your application
If you have been a past resident in Germany, there are a couple of ways to relocate your Tax ID information:
Your Tax ID is on past payslips.
If it isn't possible to check old payslips, you can contact the Finanzamt in the district you live in and they will tell you your Tax ID. For help to find your local Finanzamt, click here.
TIP: For your records, try and save the number somewhere safe and in a place you will remember. If you lost or forgot your Tax ID you can apply: click here. Please make sure to take a screenshot of the finished tax ID application to prove that you already applied for it so we can proceed with your application in the meantime.
What is your Tax Class?
Here is a list of all the tax classes in Germany:
Class I: Single/widowed/civil partnership/divorced. Married persons not in tax classes II, III or IV
Class II: Single but entitled to single-parent allowance
Class III: Married but partner does not earn wages/is classified under tax category V/recently deceased
Class IV: Married (not separated); both earning and residing in Germany, partner also has tax class IV
Class V: Married but partner is classified under tax class III
Class VI: Individuals on multiple wages from more than one employer
If you need more information, you can find it here:
I’m a European citizen and have my Taxpayer Identification Number. Can I use it in Germany?
This European tax number is not used in Germany yet, so you will get a German tax ID as described.
Will I get a new tax ID when I move to another address in Berlin and do a new Anmeldung?
No, this number remains with you as long as you live in Germany. If you leave Germany and come back in a couple of years, register the address, then you will be issued another tax ID.
FAQ
For information about The Federal Central Tax office: Click Here
For information about Berlin’s Tax Offices (Finanzamt): Click Here