Quote:
Originally Posted by BlasterBates
I mean Sozialversicherungsbeiträge, and the Scheinelbständigkeit. I am resident in Germany, but I've been working in Switzerland recently. When I started contracting in Germany like you I was told not to pay in, but then the there was the Scheinselbständigkeit Law in 2000 or 2001, at the time contractors were worried but in 2002 they set the criteria for "Scheinselbständigkei" 3 from 5 so it was easy to avoid. I've had a look recently and I've noticed they've gone back to the original criteria 2 from 4, i.e. if you work for one Auftraggeber and no employees you're liable, though it îs "grey". But what is particularly worrying is the fact they're checking on preople who haven't paid in. This could easily lead to a detailed check. It strikes me they're getting serious. I think you really do need to employ someone or have more that one client. I presume you have more than one client, is that true?
worrying article
I received Kontenklärung in March this year. |
Ah right, that old stuff. I remember going through it some years back. I can't actually remember what the various options were apart from more than 1 client, employees, etc. although I believe that one was advertising which included having a website.
I do have more than 1 client but this year its a bit difficult invoicing a couple of them so I've saved some work over from last year to invoice them this year to get around that. They are starting to get a bit stricter on self-employed people now, not just us contractors, with more checks. Last year the Finanzamt questioned my Freiberufler status but after giving them a lot of technical waffle they agreed with me only to now ask for all my paperwork regarding finances. This actually happens quite a lot now and luckily for me I have a very good Steuerberater so I just pass it all on to them.