• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Freiberufler in Berlin

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Freiberufler in Berlin

    ok,

    after having a trip to Berlin and saying i'd quite like to live there if ever i had the chance, that chance has now come up..

    the offer is a 3 month rolling contract for the german gov and Ive been advised by the german agency www.knieper-ag.com to set myself up as a freelancer/Freiberufler.

    i've read the overseas guides on here and next step is i need to speak to a german accountant as i have worked here in stuttgart via my limited via a uk agency for 60 days but earned below the VAT threshold, given the rate, this gig alone will definately put me over the VAT threshold limit and i need to know if chef ltd's earnings would be considered or if when i setup as freiberufler the VAT counter begins there..

    so:
    - can anyone recommend an english speaking german accountant?
    - any tips on setting up as a freiberufler would be gratefully received until i do some serious research this evening..
    - finally, rental prices in berlin, any ideas?

    Chef
    The proud owner of 125 Xeno Geek Points

    #2
    No idea, but congrats, something i'd love to do myself.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by Manic View Post
      No idea, but congrats, something i'd love to do myself.
      not got it yet but it's looking fairly positive
      The proud owner of 125 Xeno Geek Points

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by chef View Post
        not got it yet but it's looking fairly positive
        Suddenly seem to hear the marcia funebre from Beethoven's Third. Oh, that was funeral, not freiberufler.

        Comment


          #5
          I would get recommendations from other contractors in Berlin. I think you'll find most good tax advisors speak sufficient English. More important is their experience with IT contractors. Clarify with him how you handle earnings up until now. I don't know what the rules are.

          They are clamping down on "Sozialversicherung", but I don't know how serious this is. Definitely worth finding out. One thing about social insurance is that it is not a tax and therefore it is not as serious as not paying tax , if they deem you should pay it.

          One question is, should you declare yourself as a "self employed - employee", and pay EUR 250 a month into the German social insurance for a couple of years and then the full employee contribution of EUR 500. A saving grace is that they normally don't charge the employers contribution as well to a freelancer. Or whether you try and "brave it" not paying any at all hoping you pass any investigations that may occur in the future.

          I didn't pay it and I did get a form from the authorities, but because this is more than 4 yaers ago I think they're not checking. I hear that if they do catch you it costs EUR 22,000, over a 4 year period. Very similar criteria as in the UK, so if you work for one company for a few years there's a high risk.

          Basically there is true self employed, self employed but similar to an employee, and disguised employment. The latter is an offence but is not normally applied to IT contractors.

          My advice on this point is to find out from fellow contractors, also you have an advantage that they won't be inspecting you for several years so you can watch what happens to others who have been there longer.

          You can get round this by employing someone for EUR 450 a month, but since this is almost the same as the 500 my feeling is you might as well pay it and get a pension.
          Last edited by BlasterBates; 25 November 2008, 11:41.
          I'm alright Jack

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by chef View Post
            so:
            - can anyone recommend an english speaking german accountant?
            - any tips on setting up as a freiberufler would be gratefully received until i do some serious research this evening..


            Chef
            I use this dude - he seems very nice and all staff speaks english and he specialises in contractors.
            He can do everything you need.
            I have done everything for 18 months via mail and email. Easy to work with.

            Mr Claus Henseling
            His telephone number is 06004 91920
            [email protected]
            "Condoms should come with a free pack of earplugs."

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by ThomasSoerensen View Post
              I use this dude - he seems very nice and all staff speaks english and he specialises in contractors.
              He can do everything you need.
              I have done everything for 18 months via mail and email. Easy to work with.

              Mr Claus Henseling
              His telephone number is 06004 91920
              [email protected]
              thats a huge help, thanks thomas
              The proud owner of 125 Xeno Geek Points

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by ThomasSoerensen View Post
                I use this dude - he seems very nice and all staff speaks english and he specialises in contractors.
                He can do everything you need.
                I have done everything for 18 months via mail and email. Easy to work with.

                Mr Claus Henseling
                His telephone number is 06004 91920
                [email protected]
                I remember this guy from some years back. Seemed pretty good then and deals with a few Brits in the Frankfurt area. Was not impressed with certain aspects and went local with a German company which has proved to be damn good. If you go to gulp.de there is a list of accountants who deal with IT freelancers and have recommendations
                Brexit is having a wee in the middle of the room at a house party because nobody is talking to you, and then complaining about the smell.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by chef View Post
                  thats a huge help, thanks thomas
                  That could have been the top option in your questionnaire.
                  Rule #76: No excuses. Play like a champion.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Rents in Berlin

                    I believe renting in Berlin is pretty good value for money. Just checking the sites it looks like between 800 Euro and 1K euro will get you a pretty decent spot.
                    There are no evil thoughts except one: the refusal to think

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X