Depending on its format and source, the tax number may appear shorter than 13 digits. However, certain digital processes – such as registering a POS system with the tax office – require the standardized 13-digit format.
The official tax number converter of the BMF can be used to generate the current 13-digit format from an older tax number. You simply need to select the federal state and enter the existing number.
Tax number ≠ Tax ID
Important: The 13-digit tax number is not the same as the tax identification number (Tax ID). The Tax ID is personal, consists of 11 digits, and remains the same for life. The tax number, on the other hand, can change over time – for example, due to moving, getting married, or changing tax offices.