Brit, but Working in Germany... ??

**poppy01** · 20 February 2009, 22:35

Originally posted by Moff View Post

Hi All,

I have searched, but unable to answer my question exactly...

Can anyone help please ?

I am Brit, working through my own LTD company, currently working on a contract in Germany. Looks like my stay will go over 6 months.

Are there any legalities in Germany I have to abide by ?

I bill to Uk company, paid in Sterling to Uk bank account (rate is in Euro, just converted at time of payment)

yes Fritz, sure your a brit

**Moff** · 20 February 2009, 22:44

Who is Fritz ?

**Olly** · 21 February 2009, 07:48

by "stay" do you mean you're going to clock up more than 183 days in Germany in a calendar yr?

**SueEllen** · 21 February 2009, 11:21

Originally posted by Moff View Post

Who is Fritz ?

Do a search on the German Taxman.

**Moff** · 21 February 2009, 13:35

Originally posted by Olly View Post

by "stay" do you mean you're going to clock up more than 183 days in Germany in a calendar yr?

Is that number of days worked, or number of days in the country ?

I only come home ever 2 months or so...

Will search on the German taxman, thank you

**Moff** · 21 February 2009, 14:02

Could I have a little help please

I couldn't find anything by searching for 'German Taxman'

**chef** · 21 February 2009, 14:43

simple,

if you spend more than 183 days or more actually in the country (irrelevant of whether your on business or for personal reasons) within 1 german financial year (jan - dec) then you are deemed as you live in germany, along with this comes various things such as you must fill in a tax return on worldwide income etc etc. and your officially stuck within the red tape of the German tax system, best advise I can give you is speak with a german accountant who can advise for your personal situation what is best.

Most people find that if they are working in Germany and spending more than 183 days within the country then the best route (i.e the least headache in resolving dual taxation laws and ensuring both uk HMRC and the german Finanzment [

] are kept happy) is to register as Freelance within Germany and completely ignore/bypass any uk ltd they have.

However, I am not an accountant and this is only true of 90% of the uk contractors i know working out here, it may not apply to you, for the bargain price of £150 or thereabouts, seek out an english speaking german accountant and have an hr's chat.

German tax authority have a lot more powers than HMRC and "i didnt know" is not an allowable excuse if they come knocking on your door early morning or send you a letter anytime in the following years.

German tax is paid quarterly in advance based on expected earnings.

Other factors include are you working direct for the german company? if so you may be liable in various other fee's / rules as an company employee of your ltd company.

Another factor may be the amount you earn and that you may be liable to pay German VAT.. something you might want to check out quickly as VAT payments are made monthly with penalties for none registration and late payment..

speak with an accountant, it'll be the best sleep avoidance solution you'll ever spend your money on.

Chef

p.s I can highly recommend Thomas Zitzelsberger of Expat Tax http://www.expattax.de , works remotely via email, speaks excellent English and comes highly recommended from http://www.toytowngermany.com (a very useful ex pat site for germany)

p.p.s my invoice for providing this very useful information that i managed to search for and find myself is in the post ;-)

**Moff** · 21 February 2009, 15:27

Thank you for the info chef

I bill to a Uk company, and I get paid in GBP, I just happen to be out in Germany.. does this make a difference ?

**Olly** · 21 February 2009, 15:50

..

Brit, but Working in Germany... ??