Finanzamt letters,
explained in English.
German tax office. Federal tax authority with local branches in every city.
What the Finanzamt does
Every Finanzamt letter matters. The Finanzamt is the local branch of the German federal tax administration, and it sends letters about your income tax (Einkommensteuer), wage tax (Lohnsteuer), tax ID (Steuer-Identifikationsnummer), annual tax assessments (Steuerbescheid), and outstanding payments. Miss the reply deadline on a Steuerbescheid and you lose your right to object — permanently.
How to recognise a Finanzamt letter
Finanzamt letters arrive in white envelopes with a blue or green header, printed on the city’s official letterhead (e.g. “Finanzamt Berlin-Mitte”). The letter always starts with your tax number (Steuernummer) or tax ID (Steuer-ID), shows your personal address, and references a specific tax year (e.g. “Veranlagung 2024”). Enclosures are common — always open them; that’s usually where the actual calculation lives.
Key facts you should know
- Tax year is the calendar year (January–December).
- If you submit a tax return, it is due by 31 July of the following year (extended deadlines applied through 2024 due to the pandemic).
- A Steuerbescheid can be objected to (Einspruch) within one month of receipt (§ 355 AO).
- Late filing surcharge (Verspätungszuschlag) is 0.25% of the tax owed per month, capped at €25,000.
- Interest on late payments accrues at 0.15% per month (1.8% per year) under current rules.
How to respond
- Check the Steuernummer and tax year at the top of the letter to confirm it’s yours.
- Find the request — usually in the first paragraph after “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren”.
- Check for enclosures (Anlagen) listed at the bottom — they often carry the deadline and amount.
- Respond in writing to the Finanzamt branch listed in the letterhead, citing the Steuernummer.
- If you disagree with a Steuerbescheid, file an Einspruch within one month.
Common letters from the Finanzamt
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which Finanzamt branch handles my letter?
Every Finanzamt letter shows the responsible branch in the letterhead (e.g. “Finanzamt Berlin-Mitte”). Your assigned branch is determined by your registered address, and it changes when you move. If the branch in the letter differs from where you expected, it usually means the tax office has noted your move before your Meldebescheinigung caught up.
What is a Steuernummer and a Steuer-ID?
The Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) is an 11-digit number issued once in your lifetime and tied to you personally. The Steuernummer is a shorter number issued by your local Finanzamt for filing returns; it changes if you move to another Finanzamt’s jurisdiction. Both numbers appear on most Finanzamt correspondence.
How quickly must I respond to a Steuerbescheid?
You have one month from the date of receipt to file an Einspruch (formal objection), under § 355 of the Abgabenordnung. After one month, the Bescheid becomes final (bestandskräftig) and is extremely difficult to challenge. Aplet identifies the deadline precisely from the letter date.
Can the Finanzamt send letters in English?
No. All official correspondence is in German by law (§ 87 AO). A few Finanzamt branches offer English-language helplines, but the written Bescheid is always German — and legally binding in German.
What should I do if I missed the deadline to respond?
You may still apply for Wiedereinsetzung in den vorigen Stand (reinstatement) under § 110 AO if you can show you missed the deadline through no fault of your own (e.g. letter was never delivered, serious illness). It requires a written application within two weeks of learning about the missed deadline.
Does Aplet keep a record of my Finanzamt letter?
No. Your letter is processed once and then deleted. The email you receive with the explanation is your only copy — save it, forward it to your tax advisor, or attach it to your accounting records as needed.