Tax registration questionnaire
Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung · sent by Finanzamt
Act now — this one has real deadlines
What this letter is
The Finanzamt's onboarding form, sent after you register a trade (Gewerbeanmeldung) or announce freelance work. Your answers set up your tax profile and assign your business Steuernummer — including whether you charge VAT (Umsatzsteuer) or use the small-business rule (Kleinunternehmerregelung), and the expected income that drives your pre-payments.
What to do
- It must be filed online via ELSTER (a Mein ELSTER account) — the paper form is essentially phased out, and there is no ignoring it once you have registered a business.
- The Kleinunternehmerregelung choice matters. Below the turnover threshold you can skip charging VAT — simpler, but you also can't reclaim input VAT. Think before ticking it; it is awkward to undo mid-year.
- Estimate income honestly but conservatively. Your figures drive quarterly income-tax pre-payments (Vorauszahlungen) — over-estimating ties up your cash for months.
- You'll get a separate business Steuernummer from your personal tax ID — keep both; invoices need the right one.
- First time self-employed? A single session with a Steuerberater (tax advisor) before you submit usually saves far more than it costs.
General information, not legal advice. Always verify payment details on the sender's official website before transferring money.