Your Steuer-ID (officially the steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, or IdNr) is the number German tax authorities use to identify you. You receive it once, by post, after you register your address in Germany. Your employer needs it to run your payroll tax correctly, so it is one of the first admin items to check after your Anmeldung.
Quick reference
- Format: 11 digits, valid permanently.
- How you get it: the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) sends it by letter to your registered address after your Anmeldung.
- How long it takes: allow up to about four weeks; a first registration can take longer.
- Lost it or it never arrived: request it again from the BZSt. It is only sent by post.
What the Steuer-ID is, and what it is not
The Steuer-ID is a personal number that contains no information about you. It does not change if you move, change your name or change your marital status.
It is not the same as the Steuernummer (tax number), which a Finanzamt assigns for a specific tax file, for example when you register as self-employed. The two are often confused, so check which number a form is asking for.
How and when you receive it
You can only receive a Steuer-ID once you have a registered address in Germany. After your Anmeldung, the registration office passes your details to the BZSt, which sends the letter to that address.
Official service descriptions say this can take up to four weeks. Some sources report four to eight weeks for a first registration, and one municipality tells newcomers to expect it no earlier than two weeks after registering. If nothing has arrived after about three months, contact the BZSt.
Step by step after you arrive
- Register your address (Anmeldung).
- Wait for the BZSt letter and keep it somewhere safe.
- Give your employer your Steuer-ID and date of birth when you start the job.
- If the letter has not arrived after about four weeks, request it again (see below).
- Check your first payslip for the tax class that was applied, and use our tax class tool to see what is right for you.
Where to find your Steuer-ID
- The original BZSt letter
- Your income tax assessment (Einkommensteuerbescheid)
- Your annual payroll tax certificate (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung)
If you lost it or it never arrived
- Check the documents above first.
- Request it again from the BZSt, using the online form (in German) or by letter.
- Wait for the reply by post. For data-protection reasons the number is only sent by letter, and to your registered address. Sending it to a different address requires a written authorization and a copy of your ID.
The BZSt cannot tell you the number by phone.
Who asks for your Steuer-ID
- Your employer: when you start a job you have to give them your Steuer-ID and date of birth so they can retrieve your payroll tax data (ELStAM) electronically.
- ELSTER and your tax return: ELSTER registration asks for it. You can also file a tax return without it, because your Finanzamt can find it.
- Banks: banks often ask for it when you open an account.
What happens if your employer does not have it
Without your Steuer-ID, your employer cannot retrieve your ELStAM. In that case payroll generally falls back to Tax Class VI, the class with the highest withholding. This is not a fine, and tax withheld in excess can be credited when your income tax is assessed, but your take-home pay is lower in the meantime. It is better to fix the situation during the year than to wait for the refund.
Once you have the number, check your payroll data. If it is wrong, the BZSt cannot change it; your local Finanzamt (the tax office for your address) is the right contact. Our net salary calculator shows how much the tax class changes your pay.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a Steuer-ID?
Usually up to about four weeks after your Anmeldung. A first registration can take longer. If nothing arrives after about three months, contact the BZSt.
Can I get a Steuer-ID before I register my address?
No. It is issued after you have a registered address in Germany.
Can I get my Steuer-ID by phone or email?
No. It is only sent by letter, to your registered address.
Does my Steuer-ID change if I move or change my name?
No. It stays the same if you move, change your name or change your marital status.
Do I need my Steuer-ID to file a tax return?
You can file without it, since your Finanzamt can find it. ELSTER registration, however, asks for it.
Official sources
This guide is general information, not tax advice, and procedures can change. For your own situation, check with the BZSt, your Finanzamt, or a Steuerberater or Lohnsteuerhilfeverein. Last reviewed: October 2026.