Logo Bayernportal
- no location -
Home > Procedures

Certification in tax matters; application to the tax office

With the "certificate in tax matters", you can prove that you are reliable for tax purposes. This is often necessary, for example, if you want to set up a company or receive public contracts.

Online services

Online services

  • Bescheinigung in Steuersachen online beantragen
    ELSTER - your online tax office offers secure electronic communication with your tax office. ELSTER supports you with the pre-filled tax return and other electronic services up to the digital tax assessment notice.

Responsible for you

For contact details of the responsible authoritiy and local valid information select under "Select location" a location.
Stilisiertes Bild eines Hauses
Finanzämter
Mehr zur Behörde

Procedure details

With the "certificate in tax matters", also known as a clearance certificate, you can prove that you are fiscally reliable.

The submission of a "certificate in tax matters" is often required if you, for example

  • apply for a trade license, for example for:
    • Catering trade
    • Travel trade
    • passenger transportation
    • Real estate trade
  • apply for a public contract
  • want to extend your residence permit

A "certificate in tax matters" can also serve as a decision-making aid for private clients.

Each "certificate in tax matters" contains information about you and your tax situation in recent years, including

  • Amount of tax debts
  • Punctuality of payments
  • Punctuality in the submission of tax returns
  • If applicable, information on tax offenses or administrative tax offenses

The "certificate in tax matters" only provides information about your current tax situation. It is non-judgmental and does not contain any predictions about your future behavior.

The "certificate in tax matters" is issued by your tax office.

Your local authority is responsible for a "certificate in tax matters", which is intended to provide information on local taxes. This includes, for example

  • trade tax
  • property tax

  • Required document/s
    • if you submit the application online or in writing: informal application to the tax office with details of:
      • Number of copies required
      • Information on the purpose for which you require the certificate
    • if you submit the application in writing, additionally:
      • A copy of an identity document, e.g. identity card
      • Tax number, tax identification number or business identification number

You can submit the informal application in writing or online.

If you submit the application online:

  • You log in to your online tax office ELSTER with your "My user account" or your "My company account".
  • You use the "Other messages to the tax office" form.
  • You will receive a confirmation of your request in your mailbox in the ELSTER online tax office.

No legal remedy is provided for.

Status: 13.12.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium der Finanzen + Bundesministerium der Finanzen
Source: Federal Portal
Contains machine translated content. Show the original content