Filling in the KSK Meldebogen

Page last checked: 2026-09-28

In September the Künstlersozialkasse sends the Meldebogen and an authentication code (Authentifizierungscode). With them you report your projected annual income from work for the following year by 1 December — even when nothing has changed.

Which figure is reported

A single figure is reported: the projected annual income from work from artistic or publicist activity. The Künstlersozialkasse describes it as the „Differenz aus Betriebseinnahmen und -ausgaben“ (difference between business income and business expenses), determined under the rules of income tax law.

According to the KSK, the figure corresponds „im Regelfall den ‚Einkünften aus selbständiger Arbeit‘ im Einkommensteuerbescheid“ — as a rule it matches the line „Einkünfte aus selbständiger Arbeit“ (income from self-employed work) in the tax assessment (Einkommensteuerbescheid). Taxable income (zu versteuerndes Einkommen) is expressly not meant. If no assessment exists yet, it names the last tax return or the last annual accounts as a guide. More on this line: Which figure on the tax assessment the KSK means.

Online with insurance number and code

The insurance number (Versicherungsnummer) is entered without spaces.
The annual income from work is entered without decimal places and without spaces; the KSK's example: 20000.
The online report can be used only once a year; after that it is locked. The code is created anew every year, is not stored and is not sent again.
After sending, an automatic confirmation of receipt arrives by email — there is no further one by post.

If the code does not clearly distinguish a lower-case „l“ from a capital „I“, the KSK expressly advises trying both. According to the KSK, an error message about the insurance number can also come from a mistyped code. What applies when the code is missing or already used: The KSK authentication code.

Without the letter with the code

If you do not have the letter, the Künstlersozialkasse refers you to its paper form: fill it in, sign it and submit it by 1 December. There is also the report via the Bundesportal with an ELSTER certificate or the online ID function (Online-Ausweis).

The Tätigkeitsschlüssel

The Tätigkeitsschlüssel (activity code) stands for the area from which you earn your main income, and it is pre-filled. The KSK asks you to overwrite it only if your activity has changed. Which code fits is your own assignment; the list is on the Künstlersozialkasse's website.

What happens afterwards

In January a contribution notice (Beitragsmitteilung) follows with the new contribution. It is first due on 5 February. According to the Künstlersozialkasse, until 5 January you still pay December's contribution, based on the estimate for the year just ended. The KSK asks you not to enquire whether your report arrived — the email confirmation is the proof.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find the authentication code for the KSK report?

It arrives in September with the Künstlersozialkasse’s letter, together with the Meldebogen. The code is created anew every year, is not stored and is not sent again; without it, the signed paper form and the Bundesportal with an ELSTER certificate or the online ID function (Online-Ausweis) remain.

Is there a confirmation for the KSK online report?

Yes. According to the Künstlersozialkasse, an automatic confirmation of receipt arrives by email after sending; there is no further one by post. The KSK asks you not to enquire whether your report arrived — the email confirmation is the proof.

How do I enter the amount in the KSK online report?

Without decimal places and without spaces; the Künstlersozialkasse’s example is 20000. The insurance number (Versicherungsnummer) is also entered without spaces.

Why does the KSK online report say my insurance number is wrong?

According to the Künstlersozialkasse, this error message can also come from a mistyped authentication code (Authentifizierungscode); the system cannot tell the two apart. If the code contains an „l“, the KSK asks you to check whether it is a lower-case L or a capital „I“.

Sources

By the Künstlerfinanzen editorial team. Page last checked: 2026-09-28. The information comes from:

This text reproduces the information published by the Künstlersozialkasse. It is not legal advice and not tax advice. What applies in your case is answered by the Künstlersozialkasse or an adviser of your choice.