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Deutschland hat eine Erbschaft- und Schenkungsteuer, die Erbschaften und Schenkungen im nationalen und internationalen Kontext einer Besteuerung unterwirft. Diese umfasst die Vermögensübertragung von Steuerinländern und Steuerausländern. Sofern die steuerpflichtigen Personen im Inland ansässig sind, unterliegt das weltweite Vermögen im Erbfall der Steuer (unbeschränkte Steuerpflicht). Bei Steuerausländern wird im Regelfall nur das deutsche Vermögen besteuert (beschränkte Steuerpflicht), wobei es insbesondere für Steuerinländer, die ihre Ansässigkeit in das Ausland verlegen, Ausnahmen gibt. Wir werden in einer Serie von Artikeln die Szenarien grenzüberschreitender Erbfälle und Schenkungen aus deutscher Sicht beschreiben.

In the USA, the Limited Liability Company (LLC) is regarded as a form of company that is easy to set up, flexible to handle and yet beneficially offers personal limitation of liability for its shareholders (members). Special features must be observed if its shareholders are resident in Germany. Some of the special features are described in these two articles.

Die Limited Liability Company (LLC) gilt in den USA als Gesellschaftsform, die einfach zu gründen, flexibel zu handhaben und dennoch eine weitgehende Haftungsbeschränkung für ihre Gesellschafter bietet. Besonderheiten sind zu beachten, wenn ihre Gesellschafter in Deutschland ansässig sind. In zwei Artikeln werden einige der Besonderheiten dargestellt.

The year 2023 has brought with it changes in German income tax law which may be significant for expatriates living and working in Germany. Some changes are important for employees and their employers. Other changes pertain to all taxpayers.

Under certain circumstances it is beneficial for foreign people to become voluntary members in one or more of the schemes. This is mainly the case for shareholders of foreign companies or partners of foreign partnerships who are not employed in Germany and therefore not obligatory members of Germany’s social security system.

The German social security system is incredibly complex and varies fundamentally from systems of other countries. The parts of the system are very fragmented, and the legal structure is complicated. In addition, there are a lot of different players and organizations involved which makes it even harder to keep track with constant changes in legislation and court decisions. Even many Germans find it impossible to understand the system and its details, and for foreigners who relocate to Germany the system can easily become a devious monster. Therefore, we will publish a serious of articles with the aim to bring some light into this darkness.

From 2020, owners of residential buildings that are more than 10 years old can apply for a special tax benefit. The application can be made in a special form that is part of the German income tax return. This benefit can only be used if the owner uses the property for their own residential purposes.

When shareholders of foreign based companies relocate to Germany, the tax implications can be severe. This is especially the case if the shareholder is the only manager of a small or medium-sized company. In this case the place of effective management of the company is also transferred to Germany with major tax consequences for the company and the shareholder alike. This article describes the basic tax issues but particularly the valuation of the company’s assets at the moment that is becomes a tax resident entity in Germany.

There are several important reporting obligations in Germany. Most of them have to be observed by both German citizens and expatriates who relocate to Germany. The obligations apply especially to persons who are shareholders of companies, or members of partnerships who have set up a business activity in Germany. Persons in this respect are considered as both individuals as well as corporations.

Living and working in another country requires careful tax planning as there are always many tax issues to be considered. In addition, social security and other legal issues such as immigration law must be observed. This applies for all US citizens who relocate to Germany and it is important to note that there are special issues to be observed. Different tax and social security systems in Germany and the USA may cause problems in addition to those contained in special provisions in the Double Taxation Convention between Germany and the USA (DTC USA).

During this pandemic many companies are trying to keep their economic or professional activities going by sending people home and letting them work from there. This measure is not suitable for all businesses, but it is keeping many alive. Manufacturing companies or craft businesses will not be able to do this, but many of those in the service sector are taking this route right now.

German income tax regulations are relatively generous if it comes to deductibility of job related expenses.

Self-employed people as well as employees may work some of the time or permanently from home. This raises the question of whether and when expenses for a home office are tax deductible in Germany and if so, what kind of expenses are valid.

Traditionally Germany has had a so called synthetic tax system. That means that the total income from each and every source is amalgamated and the sum multiplied by the individual tax rate of the taxpayer. This method also means that losses from certain sources (such as trade and business or renting out real estate and property) can be credited against other positive income. Germany abolished this system with regard to income from capital investments and now this kind of income is not part of this amalgamation but is taxed at a special tax rate.

Die deutsche Wirtschaft zieht viele Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland an, die für eine gewisse Zeit in Deutschland leben und arbeiten. Diese Fachkräfte sehen sich mit einer Vielzahl steuerlicher und sozialversicherungsrechtlicher Fragen in Deutschland konfrontiert. In der Praxis sind Krankenversicherung und Altersvorsorge wichtige zu klärende Punkte. Im ersten Teil der Untersuchung stehen die sozialversicherungsrechtlichen, im zweiten Teil die steuerlichen Regelungen zur Kranken-und Rentenversicherung während der Tätigkeit in Deutschland im Vordergrund. Die steuerlichen Wirkungen während der Auszahlungsphase von Renten müssen einem weiteren Artikel vorbehalten bleiben. Der Beitrag wurde veröffentlich in der ISR 2018, Seite 178.

There are good reasons to form a LLC in the USA. It combines preferable characteristics such as a far-reaching legal flexibility of the corporate structure with a limited liability of its shareholders. Beside this the shareholders can choose whether the …

Some service industries employ freelancers rather than employees in order to carry out certain jobs. To work as a freelancer can be beneficial both for the freelancer and his/her customer. However, if the freelancer’s position is similar to the one of …

In general expatriates relocate to Germany for business or job reasons. However, there is a growing number of expatriates especially from the US and the UK who are moving to Germany when reaching retirement age. The reasons for this move …

In general expatriates moving to Germany are interested in their tax situation. For people with high income this is understandable. However, foreign employees and their employers should not ignore social security obligations in Germany. There are certain issues to be …

For foreign investors Germany’s real estate property is still attractive although property prices are still rising. Foreign investors have to consider legal and tax issues in Germany. This article covers 10 main tax issues. (1) German real estate and taxes …

Im Rahmen einer internationalen Zusammenarbeit haben Hugo Schauli, Wirtschaftsprüfer der Wirtschafts-Treuhand AG, Basel und Peter Scheller die steuerlichen und sozialversicherungsrechtlichen Fragen deutscher Arbeitnehmer, die in der Schweiz einer Tätigkeit nachgehen, untersucht. In der Internationale Steuer-Rundschau 5/2016, S. 182 wurde der zweite Teil …

As an US expat, it’s important to understand the differences of how stock options are taxed in different countries. Knowing the ins and out will help you properly file your taxes in both the US and your host country – … 

It does not happen very often that a Court decision over inheritance law gets high profile publicity. However, the recent verdict of Her Majesty’s Court of Appeal regarding Heather Ilott’s share of inheritance attracted public attention on a large scale. You may …

American tax rules are complex for US taxpayers, but they can also be confusing for others who spend time working in the US or have US investments. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common tax situations …

Employed individuals who work in Germany are subject to Germany’s social security systems. Self-employed persons are in general not liable to German social security contributions. There are certain exceptions from this general rule. The most important exception is the assignment of an employee. The …

Sometimes employees receive wage payments by third parties. This happens within company groups or through benefits granted by business partners.        This occurs, for example, in the following cases: discounts granted by business partners (for example: discounts on …

Expatriates who start working in Germany may keep the main household in their home country. This is especially the case if the family stays back home. This situation results in two households and leads to the question: Are the expenses …

Expatriates especially from the USA and the Anglo-Saxon world who have been sent to Germany by their employers are often beneficiaries of stock option plans. Regularly these employees exercise options while staying in Germany. This raises the question of how benefits will be …

Employees can deduct relocation expenses from their taxable income if these costs are job or work-related. Alternatively, the employer may reimburse those expenses free of tax. If the employer does not reimburse all relocation expenses, the employee is entitled to …

Individuals can claim tax deductions for expenses connected to private homes. These rules promote family homes but also secondary residences or holiday homes. In Germany these fees are called Haushaltsnahe Dienstleistungen. Services must be linked to the household. These favourable regulations cover employments …