Tax advice for Freelance & employed teacher? - Germany

HI all

I've just started (a little over a month ago) as a English teacher, Freiberuflichen and Beschäftigung. I'm attempting to get my head around the issue of how much I should be saving from my income each month to cover my tax payment requirements. I'm a little confused ...

I work on contract for one school, a max 15 hours per week, which brings me under 1000 euros a month, Brutto, with this though my health insurance and pension payments are covered. So, with my freelance work do I need to put aside 19.5% for pension contributions, as well as what pay through my wage? If so, can I pay this amount directly in to my pension fund instead of registering with the DRV?

If I understand correctly, I can earn 400 Euros per month before I have to pay a pension contribution. Do I pay 19.5% on the portion over 400 Euros or on the whole amount?

Is there a tax free amount per year on earnings? If so, are the two types of income (freelance and employee) considered separately or together.

Lastly, to keep myself out of trouble when it comes to paying my taxes, what % of the freelance income would you suggest I put aside each month?

thanks in advance for any advice

cheers

donald

Hi,

I think there are too many variables here to give blanket advice, you'd be best forking out for an hours tax advice (offsetable on your tax return). Don't forget (although it's under review) that teachers don't qualify for the % mietkosten etc that regular people can claim for if they have a home office, so keep your receipts for everything vaugely related to your work.

Good luck.
Steve