First Phrases

Tax office · Deutsch

Tax office in German: 12 survival phrases

Book an appointment, say you have just moved, ask about your tax number, and get what you are told in writing. Each card uses the local official names for the office and the number.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). Use "Sie". The local tax office is the "Finanzamt". Your personal tax ID is the "Steuer-ID" (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, 11 digits, sent by letter to your registered address by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern). The "Steuernummer" is a different number from your local Finanzamt.

How to read the sounds: kh = the ch of Scottish 'loch' (after a, o, u) or a soft hiss like 'h' in 'huge' (after i, e). ue = ü (say 'ee' with rounded lips), oe = ö. z = ts, v = f, w = v. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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Official names used

On this card: Finanzamt, Steuer-ID, steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, Steuernummer, Bundeszentralamt für Steuern. Spelling checked against official sites on 2026-10-20:

12 phrases you will need

  1. 01Polite
    Guten Tag. Ich habe eine Frage zu meinen Steuern.
    Say it like: GOO-ten tahk. ikh HAH-beh INE-eh FRAH-geh tsoo MINE-en SHTOY-ern
    Hello. I have a question about my taxes.
    Register: Polite.
  2. 02Neutral
    Brauche ich einen Termin?
    Say it like: BROW-kheh ikh INE-en ter-MEEN
    Do I need an appointment?
    Register: Often yes.
  3. 03Polite
    Ich möchte einen Termin beim Finanzamt vereinbaren.
    Say it like: ikh MOEKH-teh INE-en ter-MEEN bime fee-NAHNTS-ahmt fer-INE-bah-ren
    I'd like to make an appointment at the tax office (Finanzamt).
    Register: Polite.
  4. 04Neutral
    Ich bin gerade nach Deutschland gezogen.
    Say it like: ikh bin geh-RAH-deh nakh DOYTCH-lahnt geh-TSOH-gen
    I've just moved to Germany.
    Register: Neutral.
  5. 05Polite
    Ich habe meine Steuer-ID noch nicht erhalten. Was kann ich tun?
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh MINE-eh SHTOY-er ee-DAY nokh nikht er-HAHL-ten. vahs kahn ikh toon
    I haven't received my Steuer-ID yet. What can I do?
    Register: It is sent by letter to the address you registered.
  6. 06Polite
    Ich habe meine Steuer-ID verloren. Wie bekomme ich sie noch einmal?
    Say it like: ikh HAH-beh MINE-eh SHTOY-er ee-DAY fer-LOH-ren. vee beh-KOM-meh ikh zee nokh INE-mahl
    I've lost my Steuer-ID. How do I get it again?
    Register: Polite.
  7. 07Neutral
    Ich arbeite freiberuflich.
    Say it like: ikh AR-by-teh FRY-beh-roof-likh
    I work as a freelancer.
    Register: "Freiberuflich" has a specific tax meaning; "selbstständig" is the general word.
  8. 08Neutral
    Wo gebe ich meine Steuererklärung ab?
    Say it like: voh GAY-beh ikh MINE-eh SHTOY-er-er-klair-oong ahp
    Where do I hand in my tax return?
    Register: Most people file online with ELSTER.
  9. 09Neutral
    Welche Unterlagen muss ich mitbringen?
    Say it like: VEL-kheh OON-ter-lah-gen moos ikh MIT-bring-en
    Which documents do I need to bring?
    Register: Neutral.
  10. 10Neutral
    Was ist die Frist?
    Say it like: vahs ist dee frist
    What is the deadline?
    Register: Short, neutral.
  11. 11Polite
    Können Sie mir das bitte schriftlich bestätigen?
    Say it like: KOE-nen zee meer dahs BIT-teh SHRIFT-likh beh-SHTAY-ti-gen
    Could you confirm that in writing, please?
    Register: Polite; keep every confirmation.
  12. 12Neutral
    Gibt es Informationen auf Englisch?
    Say it like: gipt es in-for-mah-TSYOH-nen owf ENG-lish
    Is there information in English?
    Register: Neutral.

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Quick answers

What do I say to start at the tax office in German?

Start with: "Guten Tag. Ich habe eine Frage zu meinen Steuern." (Hello. I have a question about my taxes.)

Should I use informal or formal German at the tax office?

Use "Sie". The local tax office is the "Finanzamt". Your personal tax ID is the "Steuer-ID" (steuerliche Identifikationsnummer, 11 digits, sent by letter to your registered address by the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern). The "Steuernummer" is a different number from your local Finanzamt.

How do I ask about my tax number in German?

Try: "Ich habe meine Steuer-ID noch nicht erhalten. Was kann ich tun?" (I haven't received my Steuer-ID yet. What can I do?)

Same errand, another language

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German, another errand

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All 5 × 6 survival decks · Phrases for an evening out

How it works

  1. Pick the errand and the language of the country you are in.
  2. Read the twelve phrases: each has the English meaning, an easy pronunciation guide and a register note. Tap the speaker to hear it in your device's voice, or tap Practise to record yourself and compare with the model (your recording never leaves your device).
  3. Print the card or keep it open on your phone. The official names of offices and numbers are checked against the official sites; native-speaker review is still pending.
  4. Once you are settled, open Meet & Mint to find events near you, see who else is going, join alone and chat with the group.

firstphrases.app/survival/tax/de/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint