In short
- Sender and tax number are at the top.
- The heading names the type: Fragebogen, Erinnerung, Bescheid, Mahnung.
- Against a Bescheid you can object within one month after it counts as delivered (§ 355 AO).
Who sent it?
Look at the top. You find the name of the tax office (for example Finanzamt Hannover-Nord) and your tax number (Steuernummer). That tells you which registration the letter is about.
What kind of letter is it?
The heading usually says it. Fragebogen is a questionnaire, Erinnerung a reminder, often about a missing VAT return. Bescheid is a formal decision such as an assessment, Mahnung a payment reminder.
Which deadline applies?
Look for “bis zum”, “innerhalb von” or “Frist”. Against a Bescheid you can object within one month after it counts as delivered (§ 355 AO). If it was posted to you abroad, it counts as delivered one month after posting (§ 122 (2) AO), and the month for objecting starts then.
Who handles it?
A translation tool gives you the gist. For a Bescheid or anything about money, involve a tax advisor quickly. Reminders about missing returns usually go to whoever files your VAT returns.
How do you make sure the next one arrives?
Most trouble starts with letters that arrive late or not at all. An authorised recipient in Germany receives them for you, each letter is scanned and you are notified. It no longer travels abroad first.
Next step:Receive your tax office letters in Germany, with PortoDoc as your authorised recipient →
Sources and legal basis
§ 122 AO, § 123 AO, § 355 AO (gesetze-im-internet.de).
Last checked 24 October 2026 · How we check our information · General information, not tax advice.