First of all: Congratulations! 🎉
You’ve just taken a big step toward officially becoming self-employed in Germany. Submitting your Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung (tax registration questionnaire) is a big deal - and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Most people get their Steuernummer (tax number) by mail within 3 to 6 weeks after submitting the Fragebogen. This number is essential - you’ll need it to issue invoices and file your tax declarations.
📌 Heads-up: If you're in a big city, or it’s a busy season (like January), it might take up to 8 weeks or a little longer.
💡 Pro tip: Make sure your name is clearly visible on your mailbox, especially in shared buildings. That small step can prevent major delays.
Even without your Steuernummer, there’s plenty you can do to set yourself up for success:
Use this time to organize your income and expenses. Tools like Accountable make bookkeeping simple - and save you headaches down the line.
You can already create your invoice layout and branding. Just leave the Steuernummer field blank for now. Once your number arrives, you can add it in and start invoicing right away.
➡️ Need help? Check out our step-by-step guide: Create your first sales invoice
Dive into the essentials of income tax, VAT, and self-employed obligations in Germany. The more confident you are now, the smoother things go later.
➡️ Have a look at our article’s and learn more about:
Kleinunternehmer 2025: Everything you need to know
Take advantage of free resources, like our webinars, our help-centre-articles or blog, to get smarter about self-employment in Germany.
➡️ You can check out our upcoming webinars here.
We're here to help you feel confident, not confused.
Keep an eye on your mailbox - and in the meantime, keep moving forward. You've already done the hardest part.
Don’t hesitate to contact us whenever you have a question at tax-coach@accountable.eu. We’re here to help and guide you further. 😊
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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01/05/2026
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04/05/2026
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22/03/2026
