Work visa and tax ID number

Hi all,
Here's my question: when I go to get a work visa, do I get a tax id number with the visa, or do I have to file separately for that? Someone led me to believe that I have to visit 2 different offices for this. Also, what's the time table for getting a work visa? Any responses with any light to shed will be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks!

separate things. Finanzamt and Arbeitsamt.
Time frame is between 10 days and 3 months and never.

Getting a visa, and the time to get it depends on where you are from and what you are applying for. Getting a tax number is a different process with a different office (the tax office strangely enough) and can be done any time after you start work - not rush for this at all (presuming you are in normal employment)

I had to have my tax number before they would give me my visa. Mine would have only took 3 days if they wouldn't have changed the spelling of my last name to the German version and if they didnt decide to change my zip code, all of which was correct on the application they failed to look at. After having a friend call it came within days. I have heard stories of up to 3 months...

You must go to the Finazamt fill out an lovely application...

So after that I could apply for my visa, which I get Thursday finally.

EDIT: Oh, as for the time to get the residence/work visa it depends. If you go in with everything should be quick. I finished up everything last thursday and pick mine up this Thursday

Stadtamt for the visa...

You enter into Germay for the first time on single entry German visa(not schengen visa).Then you goto Foreign office in your city where they issue you a limited time work visa .Then you have to go "einwohrnament" which is usually located in the same building where you register yourself & they give you a tax card which is you tax id/class,however for registration you need a accommodation rental contract...This is what i did when I came to Germany 3 months back

That's where you actually go with your passport to get the visa stamped in it, but it's not them who issue the visa (work visa), that's the Arbeitsamt.

This is awesome. Thanks so much everybody! What a great website, really.

hmm... after those posts i was a little unclear.

i am trying to change my Sprachkursvisum to a work visa by reapplying to the Ausländerbehörde with a contract and job description from the employer that wants to hire me. Do I have to have the tax number before i go to the behörde, or can i only get the tax number once i have a working visa??

thanks...ive learned a lot from the threads on here!