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.
Ahead of a key European Union summit meeting in Brussels focussing on stricter
budgetary discipline, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble urged
Greece to implement vital reform measures to redress the state finances, warning
that failure to do so might result in the second euro zone bailout package being
withheld, and ultimately in bankruptcy. RSS
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Financial experts of both ruling parties in Germany’s black-yellow coalition
government have called for a second tax simplification package to be adopted
in 2012 to further simplify German tax law, thereby continuing to reduce the bureaucratic
burden on both businesses and individuals. RSS
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The German finance ministry has recently announced publication of its new updated
A to Z tax guide for taxpayers in Germany,
which, it underlines, provides useful and relevant information
for both businesses and individuals. 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.
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...
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
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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