Sorry, but what is a "Steuerberater"?

Hi, I did a search and managed to filter this word.

I read alot of the previous threads, but you all seemed to be way ahead in the knowledge of Tax department. My husband presented me with a "Ausdruck der elektronischen Lohnsteuerbescheinigung Fur 2006" and asked me to deal with it!! I don't even know where to start (well, except the search I did on here)

Can anyone give me a begining spot please. Where do I send it? Who do I talk to? What is a "Steuerberater" and is there any in Nuremberg? Has anyone used the online "Taxback" web site? Is it any good (read "easy")

Thanks, hope you can help, would appreciate even just a wee push in the right direction.

You need to make a tax submission for 2006 where you use the Lohnbescheingung as evidence of your income and tax paid so far. There are probably many additional benefits you can claim in the annual return (especially if this is your first one since arriving in Germany) that will result in a refund of some of the tax already paid. You need a Steuerberater, who essentially is a tax advisor to assist you with this, and he/she probably won't be cheap, especially if you expect him to speak English and understand international issues that will surely arise. It should be the case, however that your refund exceeds his costs so it should be worth your while. There are more informal tax "clubs" ("Lohnsteuerhilfeverein") you could join who provide mutual assistance with tax submissions but these are really for those with simple tax affairs, and are less likely to be able to speak English to you. Best thing is to ask friends, neighbo(u)rs or colleagues if they can recommend a local Steuerberater - it#s a big business in Germany - they are all over the place - but finding one that suits your needs and your pocket may be more difficult.

bearing in mind that you can set his costs off against tax

...but not in the same year as the submission - only next year.

That is true.

... and further, for 2006 claims onwards not all Steuerberater costs can be offset - only those for services to your professional or business related tax liabilities, not private ones (children's allowances, health insurance, completing the forms, etc.)

I always used a 'Steuerbevollmaechtigte' who did everything on my behalf and cost SO much less. (I think I paid something like 50EUR). She did mine every year, but I don't have her details anymore. It is a lot easier to have someone fill out the forms etc. for you and tell you what you need to supply them with than attempting it yourself. It's so damn complicated!

I thought (at least this is what I was always told) that Steuerberater have fixed charges set by law that they have to charge (i.e. you won't find some more or less expensive). Vaguely remember something about a Table of fees...

Call up your local tax adviser club (steuerberater eV). It will cost you about 15€ to join and then you can find some English speaking consultant to do it all for you.

http://www.branchenbuchsuche.de/geld-recht...er-in-nuernberg

http://www.nuernberger-steuergespraeche.de/

Seriously, get someone to do it for you!!!

Well, kind of fixed.

The basics:
1. There is a "Steuerberatergebührenverordnung" for tax consultants.
2. If you meet a tax consultant for the first time and you are not a business man, he can only charge you up to 180€.
3. The normal fee depends on the value of the relevant object. (for example the sum of your positive incomes)
4. The calculation of the fee also includes a multiplier (for example between 0,05 and 1) which the tax consultant chooses.
5. He can also demand more, if he makes you sign an additional contract.
6. There are other options to set a fee...

Flexible enough to demand as much as he wants.