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For Meldefluss, where can I find my 13-digit Tax ID?

For the cash register report via ELSTER in Meldefluss, you need your 13-digit tax number that is assigned to your business. This number is used by the tax office to correctly assign your cash register report.

What is the correct tax number?

For the cash register report, the rule is:

👉 You need your 13-digit company tax number. This number is issued by the tax office responsible for the location of your register (the so-called local tax office / Betriebsstätten-Finanzamt).

Where can I find the tax number?

You can find your tax number on:

Your VAT assessment notice
A VAT advance return
A letter from the tax office

Make sure the number has 13 digits, without slashes or spaces.

💡 Example: 1121081508151

What if I only have the old, state-specific tax number?

In many documents, the tax number still appears in the old format, e.g. 12345/12345 (with a slash).

No problem! You can easily convert it: ➡️ Here is the official tax number converter

Just enter the old number, and the tool will immediately show you the valid 13-digit version.

Good to know:

The VAT ID number (e.g. DE123456789) is not the same as the tax number – don’t confuse the two.
If you have multiple business locations, each one may have its own tax number.
For sole proprietorships, the tax number may sometimes be the same as your personal one. The key is that it must correspond to your business activity.

Updated on: 14/09/2025

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