International. Multicompetent.
Starting a job or studying in a different country or moving one’s place of residence abroad has never been easier. However, these favourable opportunities of globalization bring with them far-reaching tax-related repercussions.
While tax law is a riddle wrapped up in an enigma for laypeople even in their own country, depending on the individual case, foreign tax law and intergovernmental double-tax agreements (as well as the corresponding special standards of German tax law) may also need to be taken into consideration.
In the case of permanent emigration, most people seek the advice of a tax expert as a matter of course. Albeit, even in the case of a temporary stay abroad, for studying or participating in a project, there may be hidden problems which often go undetected or are misinterpreted in actual practice.
I would be happy to help support your plans, also using my network of international partners as required. We provide consulting in German and English in these and other areas:
- Advice on double-tax agreements
- Advice on exit tax
- Tax optimization in the case of one-off payments as a result of moving abroad
- Advice for persons with limited tax liability
- Creation of income tax declarations for persons with unlimited and limited tax liability
- Advice on cross-border inheritances and endowments, and creation of the corresponding tax declarations
- Investment of assets abroad
Employees working internationally
I have one and a half decades of intensive experience in the area of international employment. With extensive know-how ranging from preparations and ongoing assistance all the way to possible repatriation, I support employees – as well as employers. I provide help, e.g. with
- advice prior to starting employment abroad to explain tax-related consequences
- creation of German income tax declarations
- reports on tax-related questions (e.g. the taxation of severance payments or retroactive bonus payments)
- advice in the case of stock options
Cases of international inheritances and endowments
International inheritances and endowments across one or even several national borders are becoming more and more frequent in times of globalized families and relationships. However, many tax systems are not yet harmonized in terms of inheritance tax. This situation affects nationals with assets abroad as well as non-nationals with domestic assets.
Avoiding double taxation
In contrast with, for instance, income tax, in these cases in particular, there are considerable double taxation risks – with the emphasis on “considerable”. Only very few double taxation treaties currently prevent this risk, and thus it is regularly the case that there is at least partial double taxation, and sometimes even multiple taxation.
I help my clients to defend against such scenarios using appropriate countermeasures and far-sighted planning, and in the best case even avoid them altogether. The objective is to successfully implement forward-looking inheritance tax and endowment tax planning in your best interests from start to finish.
Step 1: Planning
In close coordination with you
- I check the inheritance tax aspects of your assets abroad
- I deliver expert drafting advice for avoiding possible double taxation of your assets in the case of an endowment and/or inheritance
- I provide extensive support on the subject of “international asset planning”, with consideration of the impacts of inheritance tax and endowment tax
Step 2: Implementation
Within the scope of careful implementation,
- we implement your individual strategy
- in the case of an inheritance, I evaluate any structuring options for tax optimization which may still be available
- I create the endowment tax declaration and/or inheritance tax declaration, also in complex cases involving foreign countries
- I process the inheritance case in cooperation with lawyers specialized in inheritance law here and abroad
Some questions come up again and again in our day-to-day routine at the firm. Here is an overview of the classic ones we get together with practical answers.
If you would like to know more or have your own particular questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at any time.