Valid nowPublished: 29/09/2026· Updated: 15/10/2026

Registering your IBAN with the federal authorities: what to know

You can voluntarily register your bank details with the Federal Central Tax Office. They may later be used for direct government payments.

What is new?

The Federal Central Tax Office links a submitted IBAN to your tax identification number. This can allow the federal government to transfer certain public benefits directly to an account in future. Registering an IBAN does not itself trigger a payment; no general payment is currently announced.

How do I link my IBAN to my tax ID?

If you want to link your IBAN to your tax ID (Steuer-ID), have your bank details registered with the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).

The BZSt matches the reported IBAN to your tax ID. It can then be used for possible direct payments from the state.

You can use your own bank (for example with our free template), My ELSTER or the BZSt IBAN+ app. Registering does not mean you will automatically receive money.

How to register your IBAN

There are three official ways. The easiest without an online account: our free template for your bank.

Requirements for reporting

You can report an IBAN yourself from age 18. You must hold the account or otherwise be entitled to use it. Other people may report it for you only with the appropriate authorization. For bank transmission, the BZSt lists banks in Germany or an EU member state, and bank branches in Germany. For other foreign banks, check which reporting method applies.

  • Free MeaNext template

    Through your bank with the free MeaNext template

    No ELSTER or BundID account needed. You instruct your bank in writing and it reports the IBAN for you.

    1. 1

      Download and fill in the template

      Download the free MeaNext sample letter. You can fill it in on your computer and save it, or print it and fill it in by hand.

      Download the free MeaNext template
    2. 2

      Sign it and hand it to your bank

      Print the completed letter and sign it yourself. Send it to your bank by post or hand it in at a branch, if your bank offers this.

    3. 3

      Your bank sends it on

      Your bank sends the IBAN electronically to the BZSt. Afterwards you can check through the official service which IBAN is stored there.

    Many banks have their own process, such as an online banking feature or their own form. Not every bank accepts a simple e-mail. Ask your bank whether you can send our signed sample letter by post or hand it in in person.

    More about the template

  • Mein ELSTER

    On the computer, if you already have an ELSTER account.

    1. 1Log in to Mein ELSTER
    2. 2Open the form „Meldung Ihrer Bankverbindung an das BZSt“
    3. 3Enter and submit IBAN
    To the ELSTER form

  • App BZSt IBAN+

    For your smartphone. You log in with your ELSTER account or your BundID.

    1. 1Install the app
    2. 2Log in with ELSTER or BundID
    3. 3Enter and submit IBAN
    App Store (iPhone)Google Play (Android)

Good to know

  • The reporting is voluntary and free of charge.
  • It does not trigger a payout. A law will first determine if and when the state transfers money directly.
  • The tax office does not get this IBAN. For tax refunds, the bank details you gave the tax office continue to apply.
  • For children under 18 with child benefit, the family benefits office automatically reports an IBAN. From 18, you can report another one yourself.

You can see which IBAN is stored in the BZSt IBAN+ app or at ELSTER under „Abfrage Ihrer beim BZSt gespeicherten Bankverbindung“. The answer does not come immediately.

Check stored IBAN
For an ELSTER account, you need your tax ID (Steuer-ID).Find tax ID

Who is affected?

This may be useful for adults who want to register their bank details in advance. You may only submit an account that belongs to you or that you are authorised to use. One bank account is stored per person; a new submission replaces the previous one.

What should you do?

You do not have to do anything. If you choose to register your IBAN, use the ELSTER form, the BZSt IBAN+ app with an ELSTER account or BundID, or expressly instruct your bank to submit it. The BZSt does not accept an IBAN directly by letter or telephone.

When does it apply?

Submission is already possible. Whether and when the federal government uses a registered IBAN depends on the law governing each benefit. Registration is therefore not a promise that you will receive a payment.

Related guide

MeaNext summarizes official information clearly. This is not legal advice. Always check the linked official source for important decisions.

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