Waiting on your Steuernummer (tax number) but already need to send out an invoice? That’s a common situation - and the good news is, there are a few options to handle it without getting into trouble.
Let’s walk you through what’s legally allowed and what you can do right now.
In Germany, every official invoice must include a Steuernummer (tax number) - it’s required by law, and Accountable follows that rule closely.
But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck. While you wait, you have three workarounds, depending on your situation.
If you already have a personal (non-business) tax number - your Steuernummer used for income tax - you can:
Create invoices using that number for now.
Once your business Steuernummer arrives, issue cancellation invoices.
Then re-issue the same invoices, this time with your official business tax number.
🔄 This method requires a bit of admin clean-up later, but it keeps your cash flow moving.
If your client is flexible:
Let them know you’re waiting on your tax number.
Reassure them it should only take 1 to 2 more weeks.
Send the invoice once you’ve received your official Steuernummer.
🟢 This is the cleanest solution - no cancellations or corrections later.
You can also:
Write the invoice without a Steuernummer using a simple template or external tool.
Once you receive your tax number, send a corrected version with the full legal details.
⚠️ Be sure to explain this to your client up front - transparency builds trust.
If your client is OK to wait, Option 2 is the easiest path with the least paperwork. But whichever route you take, you’re not doing anything wrong - as long as the final invoice includes the correct details.
Need a hand with cancellation invoices or reissuing your first ones correctly?
We’re always happy to help - just reach out to us at tax-coach@accountable.eu. 😊
💡 Want to find out more? In our free webinar, Be your own boss, we explain step by step how to get started as a self-employed person in Germany – including registration, tax obligations and a live Q&A session. Register here!
Author - Valesca Wilms
As content marketing lead at Accountable Belgium, Valesca writes about freelancing, self-employment, and taxes based on her own experience as a freelancer.
Who is Valesca ?Thank you for your feedback!
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