German Business Tax Service

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1) Entity Setup & Launch

Tax-optimal structure selection

We help you choose the right German setup—GmbH, UG, partnership, branch, or hybrid—balancing corporate income tax, trade tax, and VAT, group cash-flows, financing, IP, and exit plans. We align recommendations with the principles discussed in our German Business Tax Guide so decisions remain consistent from day one.

Tax registrations (Steuernummer & VAT ID)

We prepare and file your tax registration forms to obtain the German Steuernummer and, where required, your VAT ID (USt-IdNr.). We also set up e-filing access and a compliance calendar to avoid missed deadlines.

Opening balance sheet (Eröffnungsbilanz)

Following incorporation, we draft the Eröffnungsbilanz and initial ledgers. This ensures a clean audit trail for both HGB (German GAAP) and tax—crucial for your first year’s returns and any future due diligence.

Bookkeeping & HGB financials

Accurate returns start with accurate books. Our German Bookkeeping & Accounting service implements a monthly ledger that satisfies German bookkeeping rules and feeds VAT, CIT, and trade tax computations without rework. We can integrate with your U.S. consolidation and provide monthly management reports.

2) Ongoing Compliance

VAT returns & annual VAT

We prepare and file your VAT pre-returns (Umsatzsteuervoranmeldungen) and the annual VAT return, manage EC Sales Lists/Intrastat where relevant, review invoices for formal compliance, and document cross-border supplies/services to minimize assessment risk.

Corporate income tax (Körperschaftsteuer)

We prepare your corporate tax return (incl. solidarity surcharge), manage tax balance sheet adjustments, loss utilization, interest limitation rules, and group topics. We reconcile differences between HGB and tax so filings are consistent.

Trade tax (Gewerbesteuer)

We calculate and file trade tax returns, monitor municipal multipliers (Hebesätze), and plan permanent establishment footprints to manage the combined effective rate. We coordinate trade tax with corporate tax to avoid mismatches.

Capital withholding (Kapitalertragsteuer)

We handle dividend/interest withholding filings and notifications, ensure correct rates under domestic rules, and coordinate shareholder communications and certificates to keep distributions compliant.

Withholding tax refunds & treaty relief

For cross-border payments, we prepare refund/relief applications (treaty and EU directives where applicable), manage documentation and residency certificates, and align German outcomes with U.S. reporting so there’s no double counting.

3) Representation before the Finanzamt

We act as your authorized representative: responding to tax office queries, handling audits, negotiating payment plans/deferrals, and pursuing binding rulings when helpful. Our approach blends proactive communication with thorough documentation from our bookkeeping workstream to keep cases efficient and defensible.

4) How we work with U.S. teams

• One calendar, multiple returns: A single compliance calendar covering VAT pre-returns, annual VAT, corporate tax, trade tax, and statutory accounts.
• Data once, used everywhere: Monthly books are designed to feed all returns; no last-minute rebuilds.
• Cross-border alignment: We coordinate with U.S. advisors on CFC/PFIC, GILTI/FDII, FTCs, intercompany pricing, and repatriation plans.
• Transparent fees: Quotes per StBVV with clear scopes for setup, monthly work, and annual filings.
• Knowledge base: We point clients to the relevant sections of our German Business Tax Guide so stakeholders can self-serve context anytime.

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Talk to a Germany–U.S. Tax Specialist

Whether you are setting up a GmbH, opening a branch, or scaling a German subsidiary, we’ll design a right-sized plan—from registrations and opening balance to VAT, CIT, trade tax, and withholding workflows.

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