Being a freelance translator in Germany Thread poster: Silvia Gutiérrez Mayo
|
|---|
Dear colleagues,
I now live in Germany and need to know what I have to do to become a freelance translator here i.e. Finanzamt...and so on.
Can any of you help?
thank you very much
Silvia
| | | | Sonja Tomaskovic (X) 
Germany
Local time: 23:23
English to German
+ ...
Hey Silvia,
as far as I know, you just have to tell your local Finanzamt that you have just started to work as a freelance translator (mention that you are a \"freiberuflicher Übersetzer\") and ask them to provide you with a tax number. They should know what to do. They might ask you to fill out some forms. (As far as I know you have to register there within 6 months after you actually started to work.)
These forms can be very tricky, so it might be hel... See more Hey Silvia,
as far as I know, you just have to tell your local Finanzamt that you have just started to work as a freelance translator (mention that you are a \"freiberuflicher Übersetzer\") and ask them to provide you with a tax number. They should know what to do. They might ask you to fill out some forms. (As far as I know you have to register there within 6 months after you actually started to work.)
These forms can be very tricky, so it might be helpful to fill them out together with one of the assistants at the Finanzamt. I am usually doing so, because I NEVER know what they want from me.
If you are a freelance translator, you actually don\'t need to register yourself at your local Ordnungsamt, which is the case if you want to work as agency, e.g.
Regards,
Sonja  ▲ Collapse
| | | | Marc P (X)
Local time: 23:23
German to English
+ ...
Sonja\'s advice is good.
There is relatively little bureaucracy involved in setting up business in Germany, and in my experience the tax authorities are very efficient and helpful. (The same can\'t be said of all areas of the German civil service, unfortunately.)
Having said that: you must insist on your \"Freiberufler\" status. Some civil servants are known to insist that you register a \"Gewerbe\". This is not necessary for a freelance translator and i... See more Sonja\'s advice is good.
There is relatively little bureaucracy involved in setting up business in Germany, and in my experience the tax authorities are very efficient and helpful. (The same can\'t be said of all areas of the German civil service, unfortunately.)
Having said that: you must insist on your \"Freiberufler\" status. Some civil servants are known to insist that you register a \"Gewerbe\". This is not necessary for a freelance translator and if it happens, stand your ground.
When you get a tax number, remember to quote it on your invoices. This is not the same as the international VAT number (which is a subject in its own right).
There is a threshold for turnover above which you must charge your customers VAT (Umsatzsteuer). Below that threshold, you have the choice. Obviously, you must decide before you start business whether you are going to charge VAT, because you can\'t do so retrospectively.
Marc ▲ Collapse
| | | | Sonja Tomaskovic (X)
Germany
Local time: 23:23
English to German
+ ...
| Marc is right | Dec 10, 2002 |
You have to insist that you are working on a freelance basis (FREIBERUFLICH).
| | |
|
|
|
Thank you very much for your help. I´ll do exactly as you told me. I´ll keep you posted on my advances.
Thank you again
Silvia
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Being a freelance translator in Germany | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| | Wordfast Pro | Translation Memory Software for Any Platform
Exclusive discount for ProZ.com users!
Save over 13% when purchasing Wordfast Pro through ProZ.com. Wordfast is the world's #1 provider of platform-independent Translation Memory software. Consistently ranked the most user-friendly and highest value
Buy now! » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
