German tax implications of a second job

I've been doing some internet research on what my tax obligations will be if I get a second job, and the information out there is conflicting, inconsistent, and above all, complicated.

The rules change for every situation; if you're a student, if you're working more than one 'minijob', if you're a married mother with tax class 6. There are also different rules depending on the kind of job you take, for instance, if you're working for a church. humph! Then there are some different options (don't ask me who they apply to) of on the tax card, or off the tax card. I've been told of a 20% flat rate tax and a 2% flat rate tax if you go over the €400,- per month. Some cases are health and retirement insurance free, and others with health and retirement insurance contributions.

If you are not a qualified tax adviser in Germany, or have no personal experience with a second job since March of 2003 (when the laws changed), please do not post here. I'd like to keep this topic informative and cluttering things with what you 'think' the situation is, will not help. Anyone who does have experience or the proper qualifications, please give us the benefit of your knowledge. I'd really like to hear how this has worked in various situations and links to recommended websites and tax advisers.

Here are a couple of the links to information on the subject that I've found so far (all in German);

http://www.400-euro.de/400-lohnsteuer.html
http://recht-steuern.freenet.de/ratContent...er_arbeitnehmer

Why no go to the tax office and ask them directly? Because they can actually be more helpful than people think (at least they have helped me in the past).
Bayerisches Staatsministerium der Finanzen (Finanzamt) Servicezentrum? Open until 6pm on Thursdays.
Deroystr. 6
S-Bahn S1 - S8 Hackerbrücke
U-Bahn U1/U7 Maillingerstraße
Tram 16/17 Deroystraße

Open:
Mon-Weds 7.30 - 16.00
Thurs 7.30 - 18.00
Fri 7.30 - 12.30