FAQ > Simply determine your 13-digit ELSTER® tax number

There are two tax numbers in Germany:

• Tax ID
• Tax number

What is the tax ID?

The tax ID (tax identification number) was introduced primarily to facilitate the work of the authorities. This is because the tax ID is valid for life and it never changes. The Federal Central Tax Office issues the tax ID. Actually, it was supposed to replace the “old” tax number – but that has not happened yet. So it happens that every citizen still has two tax numbers.

What is the tax number?

The tax number is a 10 or 11 digit number and is assigned to you by your tax office. Unlike the tax ID, it can change over the course of your life – for example, if you move and a different tax office is now responsible for you. In addition, the tax number is state-specific. It is important for the following persons and entities:

• Tax offices: The tax number enables the tax office to clearly identify your tax return.
• Banks: If the tax office needs to obtain information about the maintenance of limits in the case of exemption orders, for example.
• Employers: With the tax number, the employer can deduct the wage tax.
• Self-employed: Those who are self-employed must indicate their tax number on their invoices.

The ELSTER procedure enables the electronic transmission of tax returns. With the introduction of the procedure, a uniform federal scheme for tax numbers had to be developed. As a result, the state-specific formats had to be converted into a new, uniform format. The uniform federal tax number format has a total of 13 digits. For example, if you want to apply for Corona aid, you will need this 13-digit number.

The individual digits of the tax number each have a meaning. This applies to both the state-specific and the uniform federal tax numbers. For example, the specific tax number for Berlin is composed as follows: FF/BBB/UUUUP. The letters stand for:

• F = digit of the tax number office
• B = digit from the district number
• U = digit from the personal distinction number
• P = check digit

You can find the state-specific tax number on all documents you receive from the tax office. This includes, for example, the tax assessment notice. Of course, it is also possible to ask for the tax number by phone at the tax office.

However, some federal states only distribute 10-, 11- or 12-digit tax numbers. You can convert these state-specific numbers into the new, 13-digit format yourself. To convert to the 13-digit ELSTER tax number, you can consult the table below.