English-speaking tax advisor in Munich
Advice, correspondence and posting texts in English, German or Russian. Towards the tax office everything stays in German — that part is ours.
The short answer
We work in three languages: English, German and Russian. In each of them we hold the conversation, write to you and enter the posting texts. Anything addressed to a German tax authority we draft in German — the law allows no other language there.
What happens in your language
- The consultation itself and every query during the engagement
- Our correspondence with you, and the explanation of what the tax office writes
- The posting texts in the bookkeeping — so that head office can read the accounts without asking
- The reports from DATEV — trial balance, management figures, fixed asset schedule — in German and English
For Russian-speaking clients we explain the reports in Russian; the software itself produces them in German and English.
What has to stay in German
The official language of the tax authorities is German (section 87(1) of the Fiscal Code, AO). Tax returns, applications and objections therefore go to the tax office in German, and assessments come back in German.
If you submit contracts, vouchers or deeds in another language, the tax office may ask for a translation — in justified cases a certified one, or one made by a publicly appointed or sworn translator (section 87(2) AO).
An application filed in a foreign language starts the tax office's processing deadline only once the translation is on file (section 87(3) AO).
Books and financial statements
The books themselves may be kept in any living language (section 239(1) of the Commercial Code, HGB; section 146(3) AO) — English included. The tax office may then ask for translations. The annual financial statements, by contrast, must be drawn up in German and in euros (section 244 HGB), and a corporation such as a GmbH also publishes them in German (section 325(1) HGB).
That gives the division of labour: posting texts in the language of your head office, financial statements and tax returns in German, and the explanation back to you in your language.
Who this is for
- Foreign companies with stock, customers or staff in Germany — Corporate services
- Groups with a German subsidiary — The German subsidiary within the group
- Founders from abroad — Company formation in Germany
- Businesses that only need a German VAT number — German VAT registration
- Employees, freelancers and contractors moving to Germany — Private clients
- Buyers and owners of German property — Property in Germany
Other languages
For other languages we work with interpreters and sworn translators. For documents going to the authorities a certified translation is often required anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Will the German tax office write to me in English?
No. The official language is German (section 87(1) AO); assessments and letters arrive in German. We tell you in English what they say, what needs doing and which deadline is running.
Do I have to have foreign contracts and vouchers translated?
Not as a matter of course. The tax office may ask for a translation, and for a certified one only in justified cases (section 87(2) AO). If the translation it asked for is not supplied without delay, the office may obtain one itself at your expense.
Can our German bookkeeping be kept in English?
Yes. The law requires a living language, not German (section 239(1) HGB, section 146(3) AO). The tax office may ask for translations, though, and the annual financial statements must in any case be drawn up in German and in euros (section 244 HGB).
We speak neither English, German nor Russian. Is that a problem?
No. For other languages we work with interpreters and sworn translators.
What does an initial assessment cost?
Nothing. You describe your case, we tell you what to expect in tax terms and what we would charge. Only then do you decide.
Write to us in your language
In English, German or Russian — tell us briefly what it is about. The initial assessment is free and without obligation.