Invoice - New to Contracting

[OzBound]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask more experienced contractors for some advice on invoicing/tax when contracting in Germany via an UK based agency.
I'm currently on a short term contract in Berlin ( 5 weeks ) and I'm supposed to invoice the agency I got it from ( Darwin Recruitment ) soon.
Their requirement towards the invoice is as such : "invoice should bear your name, company registration number, VAT number and any VAT due". They said that because it's a short term contract I shouldn't worry about the German part of it so I basically invoice as if I did a job for a UK company.
I have two options to invoice them, 1 - with a company of my friend in Poland, 2 - with my own business number in Australia.
Could anyone shed some light on this situation? Mainly on a taxation part of it... Is it also ok if I don't have a VAT number?
Thank you for any replies!

[stek]

Are you British/EU?

Do you have the right to work in Germany?

[OzBound]

Yes, I'm EU and have all the rights to work in Germany.

[SueEllen]

Are you British/EU?

Do you have the right to work in Germany?

Plus "what is your right to work in Germany?"

The UK agency doesn't care if the German taxman chases you, he can follow you overseas, so you must do it right.

The right way is to pay tax on German earned income in Germany.

[jmo21]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask more experienced contractors for some advice on invoicing/tax when contracting in Germany via an UK based agency.
I'm currently on a short term contract in Berlin ( 5 weeks ) and I'm supposed to invoice the agency I got it from ( Darwin Recruitment ) soon.
Their requirement towards the invoice is as such : "invoice should bear your name, company registration number, VAT number and any VAT due". They said that because it's a short term contract I shouldn't worry about the German part of it so I basically invoice as if I did a job for a UK company.
I have two options to invoice them, 1 - with a company of my friend in Poland, 2 - with my own business number in Australia.
Could anyone shed some light on this situation? Mainly on a taxation part of it... Is it also ok if I don't have a VAT number?
Thank you for any replies!

Do you have a contract? Who are "you"?

Did you sign it personally, as director of your Australian company? And the Poish company? You won't have signed on behalf of them?

[Scruff]

Never mess with the German Taxation system. They will hunt you down and get their money from you, wherever you are.

They are renowned for their resourcefulness and determination, and its not worth trying to wangle your way around them.

Whenever I hear the "Darwin", "contractor" and "pay" in the same post, I get the distinct feeling to "Run, Forrest, run...!"

[stek]

I suspect OP is an Aussie on Tier 2 or 5 in UK, thought he could work in EU, worked in Germany on Oz visa waiver as a tourist, and is now in serious tulip.

Let the Play commence.....

[OzBound]

Plus "what is your right to work in Germany?"

The UK agency doesn't care if the German taxman chases you, he can follow you overseas, so you must do it right.

The right way is to pay tax on German earned income in Germany.

I'm a Polish citizen so I have the same right to work in Germany as a German citizen.

Do you have a contract? Who are "you"?

Did you sign it personally, as director of your Australian company? And the Poish company? You won't have signed on behalf of them?

Yes, I had to sign a contract with Darwin ( the agency ) . I signed it personally as this is what they needed at the time of signing it.
It was happening really quick so I signed it and started working couple of days after that. Now it's time I send my invoice so I need to know the best way how to do that..

Never mess with the German Taxation system. They will hunt you down and get their money from you, wherever you are.

They are renowned for their resourcefulness and determination, and its not worth trying to wangle your way around them.

Whenever I hear the "Darwin", "contractor" and "pay" in the same post, I get the distinct feeling to "Run, Forrest, run...!"

Scary, can you give an example of someone having problems with them?

I suspect OP is an Aussie on Tier 2 or 5 in UK, thought he could work in EU, worked in Germany on Oz visa waiver as a tourist, and is now in serious tulip.

Let the Play commence.....

Sorry but not. Polish citizen here with an Australian Residency. Would you like to add something based on that? :-)

[Scruff]

Scary, can you give an example of someone having problems with them

Google is your friend

[Andy Hallett]

When I think Darwin, I generally think Darwin Awards.

If you haven't ever read them it is an amazing chronicle of human stupidity.