It was created out of its current parent agency, the Federal Ministry of Finance, on 1 January 2006 and has approximately 2,200 employees.

[1] Beginning in July 2007, the BZSt began issuing a unique National identification number to every resident, replacing the formerly decentralized system.

The Federal Tax Auditing Departments I, II and III employ approximately 500 auditors, who are responsible for reviewing the roughly 15,000 concerns incorporated in Germany.

To increase efficiency and effectiveness in the administration of taxes, the Regulatory Impact Assessment, Risk Management, and Reporting departments are being expanded.

The BZSt's main offices are in Bonn in the district of Beuel at An der Küppe 1 and Platanenweg 33.