What is a Steuer-ID-Brief?
Tax identification number letter.
The first letter most expats receive in Germany — confirming your lifetime tax number.
Definition
The Steuer-ID-Brief is a letter from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt) in Bonn containing your Steuer-Identifikationsnummer — an 11-digit number issued to every registered resident of Germany exactly once in their lifetime. It arrives automatically by post a few weeks after your Anmeldung. The letter requires no action: simply file it safely, as your employer, bank, and health insurer will ask for this number.
Who sends it
Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt), 53221 Bonn. The letter comes in a plain white envelope with the BZSt letterhead. It is not a demand and requires no payment or response.
What it’s asking for
Nothing. The letter is purely informational. It confirms your Steuer-ID, which you will need to give to your employer (for payroll tax), your bank (for interest reporting), and your health insurer.
Your deadline
Typical next steps
- Read the 11-digit Steuer-ID printed on the letter — note it down in a safe place.
- Provide the number to your employer as soon as possible (required for correct income tax withholding).
- Give it to your bank and health insurer when they request it.
- Store the letter — you will be asked for this number repeatedly over your time in Germany.
- Do not confuse the Steuer-ID with your Steuernummer (issued by your local Finanzamt for filing returns); they are different numbers.
Stated consequences under German law
Ignoring the letter causes no penalty — it requires no action. However, not providing your Steuer-ID to your employer means they must withhold income tax at the maximum rate (Steuerklasse VI) until you supply it, significantly reducing your take-home pay.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Steuer-ID and why do I need it?
The Steuer-Identifikationsnummer (Steuer-ID) is an 11-digit number issued once per person and valid for life, regardless of address changes or employer changes. Your employer uses it to report your wages to the Finanzamt. Your bank uses it to report interest income. Without it, your employer must withhold tax at the highest rate.
What is the difference between the Steuer-ID and the Steuernummer?
The Steuer-ID (11 digits, from the BZSt) is permanent and personal — it stays with you for life. The Steuernummer (shorter, from your local Finanzamt) is used for filing tax returns and changes when you move to a different Finanzamt jurisdiction.
I lost my Steuer-ID letter. How do I get my number again?
You can retrieve it from the BZSt's online portal, or by writing to the BZSt, or sometimes from your Finanzamt. Allow 4–6 weeks for a postal request.
How does Aplet help with a Steuer-ID letter?
Aplet confirms that the letter is informational — no payment is due and no response is required — and tells you exactly what to do with the number. Many expats panic when they see official-looking Bonn post office mail; Aplet turns that into clarity in 60 seconds.
How long after my Anmeldung will I receive the Steuer-ID letter?
Usually 2–6 weeks. If you have been registered for more than 8 weeks and received nothing, check with your Bürgeramt that your Anmeldung was successfully transmitted.
Related letters
Get yours explained in 60 seconds
Aplet reads German Amtsdeutsch — the dense, formal bureaucratic register — and returns a plain-English summary with the sender, meaning, required action, deadline, and consequences of inaction.