It’s best to just ask what’s needed in your case, before making your way to the Finanzamt.
To start your career as a freelancer, a Steuernummer is crucial, and you need to apply for it at your local Finanzamt! You can’t do your taxes or send invoices without it.ĭepending on whether you’re freelancing alone or running a small business with employees, operating in Germany or across borders, you might need to provide the Finanzamt various documents. When you move, your Steuernummer changes. The biggest difference is that the Steuernummer is not forever but can change based on where you live and which regional Finanzamt is responsible for you. In the future, Steuer-ID is supposed to replace the Steuernummer completely (because we like efficiency), but for now, you need both numbers to register and do your taxes as a freelancer or entrepreneur in Germany. Steuernummer is part of the old tax system, while Steuer-ID was introduced to the German public in 2007.
Now, there are some similarities between Steuer-ID and Steuernummer. Steuernummer is your Tax Number – a unique number that identifies freelancers and businesses in Germany. Just make sure to bring your passport or another acceptable form of ID. If you’ve lost your Steuer-ID, the fastest way to retrieve it is by visiting your regional Finanzamt.
Tip: The fastest way to find your lost Steuer-ID? To register as a freelancer in the first place, you’ll need a Steuernummer. For security reasons you can only receive your Steuer-ID via post or in person.īut as a freelancer, the Steuer-ID isn’t the only German tax number you need. If you lose it, you can request for it to be sent to you again. Obtaining the Steuer-ID is simple – just wait until it arrives in the post. It must be mentioned in all letters to the Finanzamt, and is used to process everything relating to Einkommensteuer (Income Tax). The Steuer-ID is created randomly, so it doesn’t give away any personal information about the number holder. Parents receive letters with their baby’s Steuer-ID a few weeks after the child is born, while as an expat you should receive your letter within 3 weeks of registering in Germany. It remains your personal Tax ID number for the rest of your life. The Steuer-ID is unique to each person living in Germany, assigned to you at birth or at the moment you register in Germany. In the German tax authority’s system ( Finanzamt) you are this number. The Steuer-ID is your Tax Identification number. What is ‘ Steuer-identifikationsnummer’, or ‘ Steuer-ID’? what are these numbers, and why do you need them? And the first steps include getting a Steuer- identifikationsnummer or (Tax Identification Number), Steuernummer (Tax Number) and Umsatzsteuernummer (VAT number). So to bring clarity, we’ve written this guide.īecause once you’ve successfully registered as a self-employed worker in Germany, you have no choice but to set off on the German tax adventure. These last three terms are hugely important for any expat freelancer. Or, when it comes to tax numbers, ‘ Steuer- identifikationsnummer’, ‘ Steuernummer’ and ‘ Umsatzsteuernummer’. Sometimes it feels like the authorities are mocking us by inventing unpronounceable terms like ‘ Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung’ and ‘ Lohnsteuervorauszahlung’. But German efficiency comes with complex processes and systems. While it might not always seem like it, the country gets stuff done – just look at Germany’s strong economy and relatively low working hours compared to other EU countries. Germany is proud of its national efficiency stereotype.