Hamburg · Steuer-ID / Finanzamt
Get your tax ID & tax class in Hamburg
After your Anmeldung in Hamburg, your tax ID (Steuer-Identifikationsnummer) is generated automatically and posted to you — you don't apply for it. The Finanzamt is where you go for everything else tax-related: changing tax class, registering as a freelancer, or filing a return, most of it now handled online through ELSTER.
Free. The tax ID arrives by post 2–3 weeks after your Anmeldung.
What you need to bring
- Passport or IDRequired
How to get it: Issued by your home country. Renew at your country's embassy or consulate in Germany — appointments can take weeks, so check the expiry early.
- MeldebescheinigungRequired
How to get it: You receive it at your Anmeldung appointment at the Bürgeramt. Lost it? Request a new copy at the Bürgeramt (small fee, often bookable online).
- Tax ID (Steuer-ID)Required
How to get it: Mailed automatically ~2–3 weeks after your first Anmeldung. Lost it? Find it on a payslip or tax assessment, or request it again from the BZSt online.
- Employment contractRequired
How to get it: From your employer — the signed contract. If you only have a digital copy, a printout is usually accepted; ask HR for a signed original if an office insists.
Can you do it online?
Most Finanzamt matters (tax class, freelancer registration, returns) run online via ELSTER.
Open the official portal ↗Good to know
- Didn't get the letter? You can request your tax ID again from the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern — it's reissued by post, never by phone or email.
- Give your tax ID to your employer fast: without it you're taxed at the highest emergency rate (tax class 6) until it's on file, then refunded later.
- Married couples can split into tax classes 3/5 or 4/4 — the right choice can noticeably change monthly net pay, so it's worth a quick check.
- Freelancers register via the Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung on ELSTER; this is also where you get your separate tax number (Steuernummer).
Frequently asked questions
What do I need for Steuer-ID / Finanzamt in Hamburg?
You'll need 4 key documents: Passport or ID, Meldebescheinigung, Tax ID (Steuer-ID), Employment contract. Hamburg runs most services through its central hamburg.de portal, which often lets you start online.
Can I do Steuer-ID / Finanzamt online in Hamburg?
Most Finanzamt matters (tax class, freelancer registration, returns) run online via ELSTER.
Which office handles Steuer-ID / Finanzamt in Hamburg?
Get your tax ID & tax class in Hamburg is handled at the local level in Hamburg. The exact office and any forms are linked from the official source on this page, and the Amtly app opens the right Hamburg / Hamburg portal for you.
Checklist last verified 2026-06-11. Rules vary by office and change over time — always confirm with the official source linked above.