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Apply for a tax number.
Fill in the tax registration questionnaire online. We submit it to your tax office via ELSTER, with no paperwork at all.
- Filled in within a few minutes
- Submitted via ELSTER, with confirmation of submission
- From €39 plus VAT, one-off
Your tax office issues the tax number. Support in the package with a lawyer is provided by an independent partner lawyer.
Two ways to get your tax number
Self-service
Fully digital, for simple cases.
€39plus VAT, one-off
- Tax registration under § 138 AO
- Submission to the tax office via ELSTER
- Signed confirmation of submission as a PDF
With a lawyer
With support, for more complex cases.
€139plus VAT, one-off
- Everything in Self-service
- Personal advice from a partner lawyer
What you should know about the tax number
- § 138 AO
Registering with the tax office
If you set up a company or become self-employed, you notify the tax office within one month.
- ELSTER
Electronic filing required
You submit the tax registration questionnaire electronically. Paper is only possible in exceptional cases.
- § 14 UStG
Tax number on invoices
Every invoice shows your tax number or your VAT ID. Without it, the invoice is not correct.
- VAT ID
For business within the EU
You apply for the VAT identification number (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer) in the same questionnaire. You need it for business within the EU.
- § 19 UStG
Small business scheme (Kleinunternehmerregelung)
In the questionnaire, you decide whether to start as a small business (Kleinunternehmer) and not charge VAT.
- Legal forms
For every legal form
Sole proprietorship, freelancer, GbR, UG or GmbH: every one of them needs a tax registration.
Which route to a tax number suits you?
| Service | Who | Scope | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for a tax number | You fill it in, we submit it via ELSTER | Tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) | from €39 plus VAT, one-off |
| Tax registration help | Partner tax firm | 45 minutes, the firm files for you; only with bookkeeping and annual accounts | €249 plus VAT |
| Starter kit for freelancers | You, with a form guide | Checklist, form guide and templates | €25 plus VAT, one-off |
How you get your tax number
- 1
Choose a package
Choose your package. If you have questions beforehand, book a free initial call above.
- 2
Enter your details
You enter your company's details online, and the questionnaire is pre-filled.
- 3
Submission via ELSTER
We submit it to your tax office via ELSTER. You get the confirmation of submission as a PDF.
- 4
Receive your tax number
Your tax office checks the details and sends you your tax number.
Prefer a tax advisor? Tax registration help
Integrations
Export and filing
As seen in
Official
Qonto
Partner
The partner founders trust
Company formation, registrations and ongoing bookkeeping in one place. Anything that requires a licence is handled by notaries and tax advisors from our partner network.
What founders say
“I set up my GmbH in a single afternoon. All the formation documents were prepared smoothly, and the commercial register application went out the next day.”
What you can rely on
ELSTER
VAT returns and annual accounts go straight to the tax office via the ELSTER interface.
DATEV
Bookings and receipts are ready in DATEV format – your tax firm keeps working as usual.
- 4.6
Top-rated
4.6 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Rated by founders who have actually used firma.de.
Made in Germany
Developed in Germany, servers in the EU, GDPR-compliant. Anything that requires a licence comes from tax advisors and notaries.
Frequently asked questions about the tax number
What is the tax number (Steuernummer)?
The number under which your tax office (Finanzamt) keeps your records. You need it for tax returns, VAT returns and on your invoices.
How do I apply for a tax number?
With the tax registration questionnaire (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung), which you send to your tax office electronically via ELSTER.
By when do I have to register?
Within one month of starting your business activity or setting up your company.
How long does it take to get a tax number?
Filling it in takes a few minutes. Depending on the tax office, issuing the number takes from a few days to several weeks.
How much does the tax number application cost?
€39 plus VAT for the digital registration, €139 plus VAT with support from a partner lawyer, each one-off.
Do I need a tax advisor?
Not necessarily. In simple cases, the digital route is enough. For more complex questions, the package with a lawyer or the tax registration help with a partner tax firm can help.
What is the difference from the VAT ID?
Your tax office issues the tax number. The VAT ID (USt-IdNr.) for business within the EU is issued by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office). You can apply for it in the same questionnaire.