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BlasterBates · 23rd July 2008, 17:06

I might be contracting in Germany. The last time I was there I was "Freiberufler" and there was no problem I paid tax and no social insurance. Over the last few years I've been "abroad", but I might be coming back this year.

I recently got a "Antrag auf Kontenklärung" from the German Public Pension Federation, which looks harmless enough asking me to clarify the years I didn't pay into the system, and it seems to have been sent to everyone. But I wonder whether this could lead to an inspection of some kind. I think I'm in the clear bacause I last "didn't pay" social insurance in 2003, and since then I've been in Luxembourg, and Switzerland so I don't think it'll get followed up, because they usually only demand 4 years back, but is worrying for the future because it is clear they're now sniffing around, trying to find out who isn't paying.

What are you German contractors doing about this these days. Who's paying social insurance, who isn't?

23rd July 2008, 17:06	#1
BlasterBates Super poster Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Padded cell at Grangeworth Psychiatric Hospital Posts: 2,043	Contracting in Germany I might be contracting in Germany. The last time I was there I was "Freiberufler" and there was no problem I paid tax and no social insurance. Over the last few years I've been "abroad", but I might be coming back this year. I recently got a "Antrag auf Kontenklärung" from the German Public Pension Federation, which looks harmless enough asking me to clarify the years I didn't pay into the system, and it seems to have been sent to everyone. But I wonder whether this could lead to an inspection of some kind. I think I'm in the clear bacause I last "didn't pay" social insurance in 2003, and since then I've been in Luxembourg, and Switzerland so I don't think it'll get followed up, because they usually only demand 4 years back, but is worrying for the future because it is clear they're now sniffing around, trying to find out who isn't paying. What are you German contractors doing about this these days. Who's paying social insurance, who isn't? __________________ Giving bad advice increases your bank balance.