Apply for a tax number for the trade: process, duration and important tips

How long does the trade registration take? (Image: Mart Production, Unsplash)

Who a Make of businesscannot avoid the tax number.

It is essential to issue invoices and handle official business. But the application can sometimes take a few weeks – and that means an unpleasant waiting time for many founders. How long does the tax number take exactly? Which steps are necessary? And what can you do to accelerate the process?

We clarify all the important questions and share practical tips so that the business registration does not get stalls unnecessarily.

How long does it take for the tax number to come for the trade?

The processing time for the tax number depends on various factors – especially on the responsible tax office and its current workload.

There is no fixed time frame, but in practice it takes:

• On average 2 to 6 weeksuntil the tax number is awarded.
• In some cases up to 12 weeksif the tax office is overloaded or there are any questions.
• In small communities mostly faster than in large citiesbecause fewer applications have to be processed there.

Especially at the beginning of the year or after tax changes, the tax offices are often utilized, which can extend the waiting time. If you urgently need the tax number, you should not start the application on the last handle.

Step by step: This is how the tax number is applied

The tax number is a must for every business – without it nothing works when it comes to invoices or tax matters.

But how exactly does the application work? The process is actually clearly structured, but can take different lengths depending on the tax office. So that there are no unnecessary delays, you should know which steps are necessary, which documents are needed and how to carry out the application as quickly as possible

1. Commercial registration at the commercial office

Before the tax number is requested, the trade must be officially registered. This registration takes place at the responsible commercial office of the city or municipality. Without this basis, the tax office does not issue a tax number.

2. Fill in questionnaires for tax registration

After the business registration, you will automatically receive mail from the tax office with the “Questionnaire for tax registration”. Since January 1, 2021, this questionnaire only has to electronically via the Elster portal be submitted. Among other things, the following information is given:

• Personal Data (Name, address, tax ID)
• Type of commercial activity (Industry, description of the services)
• Expected sales and profit in the first year
• Indication whether the Small business regulation is used
• Tax optionse.g. B. for sales tax liability

This questionnaire must be within One month after the business registration be sent to the tax office.

3. Tax office checks the application

As soon as the questionnaire has been received, it will be processed by the tax office. Here it can be too Questions or correction requests come when information is missing or contradictory. In this case, the processing is delayed accordingly.

4. Allocation of tax number by post

After completing the exam, the tax office awards the tax number and sends it by post. Digital shipping is currently not possible, which can also extend the waiting time.

How can you speed up the process?

Since the allocation of the tax number often takes several weeks, there are some ways to accelerate processing:

• Apply early: The questionnaire for tax registration should be filled out and sent immediately after the business registration.
• Provide complete and error -free information: False or missing information leads to queries – and that delays the entire process considerably.
• Contact the tax office: If you haven’t heard anything after several weeks, you can follow up by phone. In many cases, the application is then preferred.
• Set up the Elster account in advance: Since the questionnaire can only be filled in via Elster, the user account should be activated before the business registration.

Some self -employed report that direct contact with the tax office and the complete submission of all documents can lead to the tax number within 10 to 14 days is awarded.

Can you start with the trade without a tax number?

In principle, a trade can also be operated without a tax number – but with restrictions:

• Issue invoices: If you don’t have a tax number yet, you must not write official bills. A subsequent addition to the tax number is possible, but should be discussed with customers.
• VAT subject to VAT: If you do not fall under the small business regulation, you may not show sales tax as long as the tax number is missing.
• Observe accounting obligations: All income must be documented correctly – even without a tax number. As soon as this is available, the data must be added accordingly.

So if you do sales immediately after the business registration, you should either wait with the invoice or inquire at the tax office whether one Preliminary tax number can be awarded.

What happens if the application is delayed?

There are several reasons why the tax number can be awarded longer:

• High workload of the tax office -Especially at the beginning of the year or in tax reform years, the processing can be delayed.
• Missing or unclear information – If the tax office has any questions, the exam takes longer.
• Address or identity problems – If the registration address changes or there are inconsistencies with identity, the tax office can request additional documents.

If the processing is very delayed, it is advisable, to ask for 4 to 6 weeks by phone. In some cases, the processing can then be accelerated.

Conclusion: It doesn’t work without a tax number, but you can accelerate the process

The tax number is an essential part of the commercial registration and is assigned by the tax office.

The average processing time is 2 to 6 weeksin individual cases it can also be up to 12 weeks last. Who the questionnaire for tax registration Filled out early and submitted correctlycan avoid unnecessary delays.

While business activities can also be started without a tax number, there are some restrictions – especially when it comes to invoicing. Anyone who immediately generates sales should inquire about a preliminary solution at the tax office or to prepare to supplement invoices with the tax number afterwards.

Founders who want to get started quickly should send the questionnaire for tax recording immediately after the business registration, pay attention to a complete and error -free submission and, if in doubt, get in touch with the tax office at an early stage. In this way, the process can often be accelerated significantly.

FAQ: Apply for a tax number for businesses

How do I apply for a tax number for my business?

After registering for the trade, the “questionnaire for tax registration” must be filled out and sent to the tax office – since 2021 only online via Elster. As soon as the tax office has processed the application, the tax number will be sent by post.

How quickly do you get a tax number after registering for business?

The processing time varies depending on the tax office and workload. As a rule, it takes 2-6 weeks, in individual cases up to 12 weeks. If you want to avoid delays, you should fill out the questionnaire without errors and check it out directly if the processing is.

How do I get my tax number the fastest?

The faster the questionnaire is submitted correctly for tax recording, the faster it goes. Errors and missing information often lead to queries that delay the process. In the event of urgent needs, you can ask directly to the tax office whether faster processing is possible.

When does a GmbH receive a tax number?

A GmbH only receives the tax number in the commercial register after its entry in the commercial register. Here, too, the questionnaire for tax recording is mandatory. The processing can take between 2 and 8 weeks, depending on the tax office.

Which tax number for small businesses?

Small traders also need a tax number from the tax office. This is necessary to write invoices and submit tax returns. The application for application is the same as with any other trade: online application via Elster, then processing by the tax office.

When does the tax office register after the business registration?

After registering for the trade, you will automatically receive mail from the tax office with the request to fill out the questionnaire for tax registration. This can take a few days to weeks. If you don’t want to wait, you can also fill out the questionnaire yourself via Elster to save time.