How do I send the tax registration questionnaire with VAT GPT?

Under "Guidelines", at "Registration with Tax Office", open the "FSE Form" button, fill in six steps and click "Submit to ELSTER". The tax office then issues your tax number.

Last updated: 29 October 2026

In brief

  • Where: "Guidelines" menu, step "Registration with Tax Office", button "FSE Form".
  • Structure: Six steps: Personal, Business, Financials, VAT, Bank, Review.
  • Sending: On "Review & Submit" look at the "Preview", then send with "Submit to ELSTER".
  • Proof: After sending, VAT GPT shows a "Transfer Ticket" that you save as proof.

When do I need the questionnaire?

A trade (Gewerbe) is registered with the municipality, which informs the tax office; a freelance activity is notified directly to the tax office (§ 138 (1) AO). In addition you must send the questionnaire on tax registration (Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung) electronically to the tax office within one month of starting (§ 138 (1b) and (4) AO). The answer is your tax number. Background is in Apply for a tax number.

What this means for you: Without this questionnaire there is no tax number, and without a tax number no VAT return and no invoice with a tax number.

How do I fill in the questionnaire in VAT GPT step by step?

  1. In the "Guidelines" menu open the step "Registration with Tax Office" and click "FSE Form".
  2. Step "Personal": salutation, first and last name, date of birth, tax ID number (11 digits), religion, address and e-mail address. Move on with "Next", go back with "Back".
  3. Step "Business": business activity (described in German), business start date, foundation type and business address. VAT GPT adds the tax office from the postcode.
  4. Step "Financials": estimated revenue and expected profit for the founding year and the following year.
  5. Step "VAT": choose "Yes, apply Kleinunternehmerregelung" or waive it. Here you can switch on "Request EU VAT ID Number (USt-IdNr)".
  6. Step "Bank": enter your IBAN.
  7. Step "Review": on "Review & Submit" you see all details. Click "Preview", check the content and then click "Submit to ELSTER".

What this means for you: You answer plain questions in clear steps; VAT GPT builds the official form from them.

What happens after sending?

VAT GPT checks the data before it is sent and reports "Submitted successfully". You get a "Transfer Ticket" that you should save. Under "Guidelines" you then see "Date:" and the transfer ticket; you can copy it and download the sent form as a PDF. The tax office tells you the tax number afterwards.

What this means for you: Keep the transfer ticket as proof; processing at the tax office takes a varying amount of time.

What comes next?

The next steps in the same menu are the ELSTER certificate and, only if you sell to private customers in other EU countries, the OSS registration. Once you have the tax number you enter it under "Personal details".

What this means for you: Tax number first, then certificate, then send your returns.

How VAT GPT helps

  1. Fill in: VAT GPT guides you through the questionnaire step by step.
  2. Check: Before sending, VAT GPT shows all details in the preview.
  3. Send: VAT GPT sends the questionnaire through ELSTER to the tax office.

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No tax advice: This content does not replace individual advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does sending the questionnaire cost anything? No, sending the questionnaire in VAT GPT is not tied to a paid plan.

What is the tax ID number and where do I find it? An eleven-digit number that must not be confused with the tax number; it is shown, for example, on the annual wage tax statement. The difference is explained in Tax number vs tax ID.

Should I choose the small-business scheme? That depends on your revenue; the limits are in Small-business rule 2026.

What if I made a typo? Use "Back" to return to the step and change the entry before you click "Submit to ELSTER".

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