Germany is Europe’s largest economy, and sixth largest
in the world, with a GDP of USD2.812 trillion (2009), slightly
down on the USD2.925 trillion figure for 2008. The service
sector represents around 69% of the US economy, with industrial
and agricultural output amounting to 30% and 1% respectively.
Prior the onset of the global financial crisis the economy
grew steadily but in 2009 , Germany, along with many other
countries worldwide, entered a recession, although some degree
of recovery is expected in 2010, markets permitting.
However, the uneasy coalition government formed of the Free
Democratic Party (FDP), the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
and the Christian Socialist Union (CSU) has been having a
hard time agreeing on the scope and form of planned tax reforms,
although action is expected by 2011 (meaning, presumably,
that a concrete decision will have been reached before then!)
Germany is a highly developed country and has a strong economy
despite fairly high taxes overall. It is a founding member
of the European Union, and plays a major part in EU negotiations
and, to a lesser degree, internationally.
As an EU member of the European Union it benefits from visa-free
travel and enhanced trade and other relations with EU Member
States. Germany has an expansive network of double tax treaties.
President of the Swiss Bankers Association Patrick Odier has dismissed claims
that Swiss banking clients resident in Germany, the UK, and Austria will simply
relocate their money abroad to avoid paying tax before the bilateral tax agreements,
concluded between the Confederation and these states, enter into force next year. RSS
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Ahead of a crucial vote in the Bundesrat, Germany’s upper house of
parliament, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned the federal states not
to block the government’s EUR6bn (USD8bn) tax cut plans, aimed at combating
fiscal drift in the country’s income tax law. RSS
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The European Court of Justice has disagreed with the Dutch government's tax treatment of vehicles registered in other European Union states that are loaned free of charge and used on a non-permanent basis on Dutch roads. RSS
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I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.
I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.
In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.
However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?
If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.
Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary
Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.
Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...
I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD. Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ? Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move
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