Filing German Tax returns

[Beaufort1]

Can anyone point us in the direction of how to contact the German tax authorities or tax advisors. Also more importantly can you tell us when we have to file a tax return. We are resident/domiciled in the UK for tax purposes but realise the Germans require us to declare our modest rental income which we started receiving last September.
We got a letter from our German Lawyer with details of a tax advisor who wants to charge €275 including 19% VAT for preparation of tax returns. I'm not sure if this is for a single or joint return. Does this sound good value?

[neustria]

One solution would be to pay out the €275 this year and then, next year, use this year's return as a model for doing the filing yourself in 2009. Being non-resident and with a sole source of income, the declaration should be pretty straightforward.
Some places (Germany?) also apply a forfeited percentage charge to non-residents to cover their tax obligations. Normally you just have to choose the option but you nearly always, I think, end up paying more than you would if you filed a declaration.
I too would be interested to know more on this if anybody out there has solid information on the subject.
Neustria

[warwickwanderers]

I'd welcome connecting - off line if more relevant - as I suspect we are in the same position (acquired German flat 1st Oct 2007 and now faced with high fee relative to income)!

[Beaufort1]

Does anyone know if the German authorities give you a personal allowance for use against the rental income

[PatrickM]

Hello,

I am an accountant in Australia with German heritage and intend to invest in Germany (2-3 apartments) over the next 6 month. I'll review the german tax law for foreign investors and will publish anything i find (naturally i cannot guarantee teh accuracy but at least give you some indication).

Patrick

[rightmove]

I wonder if the tax return forms available in English? Are they easy enough to fill it myself? Thank you.

[rightmove]

Originally Posted by rightmove

I wonder if the tax return forms available in English? Are they easy enough to fill it myself? Thank you.

May be it will be interesting for someone, I have found out the answers myself. The forms are not available in English. The cost of lawyer's service is up to 300 euros for filling the form (for annual rent).

[selwood]

Hi Everybody
Has anybody found a good cheap accountant who can do German Tax Return Forms on behalf of somebody with an income from property.
When do the forms have to be filled in by?
kind regards

[Living9]

I hope I will be able to lodge some useful pointers onsite as I am attempting to do my tax return (with a German speaking friend) this week. My german is very basic but I have managed to get the gist of the form using a dictionary and the free translation web service

Paying the ground rent etc has been simple and as I opened a german bank account I do the domestic transfer online direct to the tax office (bank details on all their letters). Thought it best to be very prompt so as to stay beneath the radar.

Somebody suggested paying an accountant once and then following the mould for sucessive years; yes, good idea; however, like doing UK tax online if you are self-employed; it is actually not that difficult once you get the knack. Even a small internet search has given me details of items I can claim for so hopefully will have something to offer later this week which may be of help.

[Prop-erty]

Originally Posted by Living9

I hope I will be able to lodge some useful pointers onsite as I am attempting to do my tax return (with a German speaking friend) this week. My german is very basic but I have managed to get the gist of the form using a dictionary and the free translation web service

Paying the ground rent etc has been simple and as I opened a german bank account I do the domestic transfer online direct to the tax office (bank details on all their letters). Thought it best to be very prompt so as to stay beneath the radar.

Somebody suggested paying an accountant once and then following the mould for sucessive years; yes, good idea; however, like doing UK tax online if you are self-employed; it is actually not that difficult once you get the knack. Even a small internet search has given me details of items I can claim for so hopefully will have something to offer later this week which may be of help.

Thank you so much. Any links that you have found useful?