Simply determine your 13-digit ELSTER® tax number
To create the e-balance sheet, you need a 13-digit ELSTER® tax number. You can calculate this quickly and easily using our converter based on your existing tax number. Then you just need to enter your federal state and your 10-, 11- or 12-digit tax number. Don’t have an account yet? Register now
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10-, 11- or 12-digit tax identification number:
Everything you need to know about the 13-digit tax number
The tax office assigns a tax number to every natural and legal person in Germany. With the introduction of the ELSTER procedure, which enables the submission of electronic tax returns, a standardized scheme was introduced throughout the country – the 13-digit tax number. Here you can read about what it is, where you can find the number and how it is composed.
Tax ID or 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 make the work of the authorities easier. This is because the tax ID is valid for life and never changes. The tax ID is issued by the Federal Central Tax Office. It was supposed to replace the “old” tax number – but this has not happened to date. As a result, 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 country-specific. It is important for the following people and instances:
- Tax offices: The tax office can use the tax number to clearly identify your tax return.
- Banks: If the tax office needs to obtain information about border crossings, for example, in the case of exemption orders.
- Employers: The employer can use the tax number to deduct and pay wage tax.
- Self-employed persons: Anyone who works independently must state their tax number on invoices.
Standardized national format: 13-digit tax number
The ELSTER procedure enables the electronic transmission of tax returns. With the introduction of the procedure, a uniform scheme for tax numbers had to be developed for the whole of Germany. The consequence: the state-specific formats had to be converted into a new, uniform format. The uniform national format for tax numbers has a total of 13 digits. If, for example, you want to apply for coronavirus aid, you will need this 13-digit number.
How is the 13-digit tax number composed?
The individual digits of the tax number each have a specific meaning. This applies to both state-specific and federal tax numbers.
The specific tax number for Berlin, for example, is composed as follows: FF/BBB/UUUUP. The letters stand for:
- F = digit of the federal tax office number (BUFA no.)
- B = digit of the district number
- U = digit from the personal distinguishing number
- P = check digit
Where can I find my 13-digit tax identification number?
You will find the state-specific tax number on all documents that you receive from the tax office. These include, for example, the tax assessment notice. Of course, it is also possible to request the tax number by telephone from the tax office.
However, some federal states only issue tax numbers with 10, 11 or 12 digits. You can convert these state-specific numbers to the new, 13-digit format yourself. To convert the 13-digit ELSTER tax number, you can use the table below.
Conversion of the country-specific tax number into a standardized 13-digit format
Conversion of the country-specific tax number into a standardized 13-digit format
| federal state | Country-specific format | uniform federal tax number |
| Baden-Württemberg | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 28FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Bayern | FFF/BBB/UUUUP | 9FFF0BBBUUUUP |
| Berlin | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 11FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Brandenburg | 0FF/BBB/UUUUP | 30FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Bremen | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 24FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Hamburg | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 22FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Hessen | 0FF/BBB/UUUUP | 26FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 0FF/BBB/UUUUP | 40FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Niedersachsen | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 23FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | FFF/BBBB/UUUP | 5FFF0BBBBUUUP |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 27FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Saarland | 0FF/BBB/UUUUP | 10FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Sachsen | 2FF/BBB/UUUUP | 32FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Sachsen-Anhalt | 1FF/BBB/UUUUP | 31FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Schleswig-Holstein | FF/BBB/UUUUP | 21FF0BBBUUUUP |
| Thüringen | 1FF/BBB/UUUUP | 41FF0BBBUUUUP |
