The tax identification number serves to identify the taxpayer in the taxation procedure. It enables tax returns, notifications and correspondence to always be clearly assigned to the respective taxpayer.

The tax identification number is a "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 or get married.

As a rule, you will also find your tax identification number

• in your income tax assessment notice,
• on the 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
• Within 3 months of the birth of your newborn child, you have

you have not yet received a letter with the tax identification number.

Notification by telephone or e-mail is not possible for data protection reasons.