Receive tax identification number 
As a citizen in Germany, you will automatically receive a tax identification number. You can request a new one online if you lose it.
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Basic information
The tax identification number is used to identify the taxpayer in the taxation process. It means that tax returns, notifications and correspondence can always be clearly assigned to the respective taxpayer.
The tax identification number is an 11-digit "non-speaking number". This means that neither personal data nor the responsible tax office can be read from it.
Every newborn child and all new citizens are automatically assigned a tax identification number when they first register in Germany. It remains valid for life and does not change when you move house or get married.
You will usually also find your tax identification number
- in your income tax assessment notice,
- on your income tax statement.
You can request your tax identification number via the input form of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) if
- within 3 months of your first registration in Germany
- you have not yet received a tax identification number for your newborn child within 3 months of the birth
have not yet received a letter with the tax identification number.
For data protection reasons, it is not possible to notify us by telephone or e-mail.
Requirements
All taxable persons in Germany receive a tax identification number.
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Procedure
You will receive the tax identification number automatically by post to your registration address.
- As a taxable person in Germany, you will automatically receive a tax identification number.
- Children receive their tax identification number after birth.
- If you cannot find your tax identification number, you can use the input form on the website of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) to request your tax identification number again.
- To do this, fill out the input form completely and send it via the "send" field.
- The tax identification number can also be requested in writing from the Federal Central Tax Office, Department ST II 7, 11055 Berlin.
- You will receive the tax identification number by post to your current registration address.
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Necessary Documents
- No documents need to be submitted
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Competent Department
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Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt)
- +49 228 406-0
- +49 228 406-2661
- An der Küppe 1, 53225 Bonn
- Website
- poststelle
@bzst. bund. de
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Online Services
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Re-notification of the tax identification number
If you have misplaced, lost or forgotten your tax identification number (IdNr), you can request it using this form. You will receive the IdNr by post to your current registration address.
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Fees / Costs
gebührenfrei
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Deadlines & processing time
What deadlines must be paid attention to?
There is no deadline.
How long does it take to process
6 weeks
This page has been automatically translated by DeepL. We cannot guarantee that the translation is correct.
The official information in German is complete and correct. 14.10.2025