U.S.–Germany Founder Relocation Scenario
German Founder Moving to the United States
A German founder who moves to the United States while continuing to own a German GmbH, partnership or other business can enter a new U.S. tax and reporting regime immediately. The move should be reviewed before U.S. residency begins because ownership, valuation, German exit-tax exposure, Form 5471 or Form 8865, CFC rules, dividends and a future sale can all be affected.
Vue d'ensemble
The move can change the tax treatment of an existing German company
Once the founder becomes a U.S. tax resident, worldwide income and foreign entity reporting can become relevant. A German company that was previously only a German tax matter can suddenly create annual U.S. shareholder reporting and income-inclusion issues.
At the same time, Germany can continue taxing the company and may impose separate consequences when a shareholder gives up German tax residence.
Perspective fiscale allemande
The German TaxRep counterpart focuses on German exit taxation, continued German business taxation and the consequences of moving abroad while retaining German company interests.
Before U.S. Residency Begins
Valuation, ownership and exit-tax analysis should be done before the move
German exit tax
A founder holding a significant interest in a German corporation should review whether German exit-tax rules can apply when German tax residence ends or treaty taxing rights change.
Valuation at the move date
A defensible valuation of the company and the shareholder interest can be important for later gain, basis and cross-border planning.
Ownership restructuring
Changes to ownership, holding companies, gifts or reorganizations should be considered before the move rather than after U.S. reporting has started.
U.S. Tax After the Move
Worldwide income and foreign-entity reporting can begin with U.S. residency
Formulaire 5471
Ownership of a German GmbH can create Form 5471 reporting depending on ownership, control and CFC status.
Formulaire 8865
Ownership of a German partnership can create Form 8865 reporting if the entity is treated as a foreign partnership for U.S. tax purposes.
Subpart F and GILTI
If the German company becomes a CFC, current U.S. income inclusions can arise even where no dividend is paid.
Crédits d'impôts étrangers
German corporate and shareholder taxes should be coordinated with U.S. foreign tax credit rules rather than treated as automatically creditable.
Business Ownership After Relocation
How the German company is managed after the move also matters
U.S. owner of a German GmbH
Corporate tax, Form 5471, CFC rules, dividends and basis should be coordinated after the move.
Read GmbH owner guideU.S. partner in a German partnership
Income allocation, Form 8865, outside basis and distributions can become part of the annual U.S. filing.
Read partnership guideForeign corporation reporting
Review the applicable Form 5471 filing category before the first U.S. return is prepared.
Consulter le guide du formulaire 5471Foreign partnership reporting
German partnership interests should be classified and mapped to the applicable U.S. reporting category.
Lire le guide du formulaire 8865Future distributions and exit
Dividends and a later sale of the company can be affected by prior U.S. inclusions, basis and German withholding or gain taxation.
Explorer la création d'entrepriseFirst U.S. return after the move
The move year should coordinate residency, foreign entity reporting, foreign tax credits and any dual-status issues.
Consulter le guide des années de déménagementPre-Move Planning Checklist
Prepare the shareholder file before becoming a U.S. taxpayer
Residency date
Determine the expected start of U.S. tax residency and whether the move year will be dual-status.
Cap table
Document direct, indirect and attributed ownership in each company or partnership.
Évaluation
Obtain support for the value of material business interests near the move date.
German exit tax
Review whether departure from Germany affects taxation of unrealized gains in corporate interests.
Historical records
Retain financial statements, tax returns, capital history and acquisition documents for future U.S. reporting.
Future compensation
Plan salary, dividends, distributions and management functions after the founder is working from the United States.
Guides connexes États-Unis-Allemagne
Continue with the relevant relocation and ownership issues
Entreprises et participations
Retourner au pôle complet de propriété d'entreprise États-Unis–Allemagne.
Explorer les entreprisesGerman Moving to the U.S.
Residency and tax issues for the individual move itself.
Explorez le mouvementGmbH allemande – Propriétaire américain
Ongoing U.S. shareholder taxation after relocation.
Explore GmbH ownershipDéclaration de revenus de l'année de déménagement
Coordinate the first U.S. filing year with the relocation date.
Explore move-year reportingU.S.–Germany Founder Relocation
Moving to the U.S. while owning a German business?
We can review German exit-tax exposure, U.S. residency timing, Form 5471 or Form 8865, CFC/Subpart F/GILTI issues, valuation, dividends and future exit planning.
Discuss your move before U.S. residency begins