I think you will agree with me when I say:
German bureaucracy is REALLY hard to deal with.
Well, while paperwork usually can take time when you start your life in Germany, you can get you Tax ID ( steuerliche Identifikationsnummer ) pretty easily.
What is a tax ID?
Germany is following the example of many of its neighbors in the European Union and modernizing its tax system. By introducing the tax identification number (IdNo), the Federal Ministry of Finance and the federal government want to streamline their bodies and simplify procedures for companies and taxpayers. The IdNo is an 11-digit number containing no information about you or your tax office.
Who needs a Tax ID?
One IdNo is assigned to every person who is registered in Germany as a primary place of residence or sole residence in a civil registry.
If you are not registered in Germany but you are subject to to taxation in Germany, you will also receive an IdNo.
How do I get a tax ID?
To receive your tax ID, simply register at the citizens’ office (Bürgeramt). We recommend making an appointment beforehand. Take with you your passport and proof of residence certificate (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung).You will be given a registration certificate (Anmeldebescheinigung) and your tax ID will be sent to you in the post within two to three weeks.
Is the IdNo a personal identifier?
The short answer is no.
The IdNo is not a general personal identifier, but rather a sector-specific regulatory feature that is being introduced to aid the tax authorities in the fulfillment of their duties.
Lost Tax ID
If you lost your Tax ID, the Federal Central Tax Office can send you your IdNo again.
Here you can apply for the request to receive again your IdNo: Recover my IdNo
Does the IdNo apply to all tax types?
No, the IdNo will replace the tax number that is used for income tax in the long run. The previous tax numbers will continue to be used for all other tax types (such as VAT, motor vehicle taxes, inheritance and gift taxes and real estate transfer taxes).
Is the Tax ID assigned to babies at birth?
Every taxable person receives an IdNo in Germany.
Following the Income Tax Act, natural persons who have a registered domicile in Germany are subject to income tax at birth.
In addition, a child’s IdNo is required to identify them in the tax process, for example for payment of a child benefit.
