FISCAL REGISTRATION
How do I get a tax number quickly?
Save time and nerves in the incorporation process and fiscal registration!
Leave it to us to find the right form and answer the questions on tax registration correctly.
Where options are available, we will exercise them to your advantage, e.g. when it comes to extending deadlines for filing tax returns or the amount of advance payments.
We know which other documents are usually requested by the tax offices and prepare the documents in full so that you receive your tax number more quickly.
In this way, you avoid the stumbling blocks of annoying delays.
And if it takes longer, we’ll call the tax office and find out why.
Fiscal registration (questionnaire for tax registration)
The tax number must be applied for at the responsible tax office.
Depending on the legal form and origin, the correct questionnaire for tax registration with the correct contribution sheets must be selected and submitted electronically to the tax office.
In addition, some documents must be added, such as the articles of association and an extract from the commercial register.
Sometimes further documents need to be submitted.
If these are forgotten, the tax office will make enquiries.
This delays the issuing of the tax number.
Only once the company has been entered in the commercial register and all documents have been received by the tax office will the tax number be issued after verification.
If the shareholder is a company abroad, this can take a very long time.
This is particularly the case if an apostille is required or if the authenticity of a foreign public document has to be confirmed by a German consular official of the country in which the document is to be used.
In the case of Indian limited companies, for example, it can take up to 6 months.
Sales tax registration/USt ID number
Companies that have received a tax number are automatically registered for VAT purposes in Germany.
If you participate in intra-Community trade, you will also receive a VAT identification number (VAT ID no.) on request
Why do I need a tax number at all?
Your outgoing invoices must contain a valid tax number or VAT ID number.
If you write invoices without a tax number or VAT ID number, you will still owe VAT, but your business partner will not be able to claim input tax.
In addition, you may ask your suppliers/business partners from EU countries to provide you with their VAT ID number so that they can use the reverse charge procedure and VAT does not have to be shown and paid.
Foreign shareholders
If the company has foreign shareholders, additional documents must be submitted.
These include a rental agreement for a workplace/office and the employment contract of the managing director.
A letterbox or virtual office is not sufficient.
It can happen that a tax auditor from the tax office wants to see the company’s own office and have the manager explain the business model.
Foreign companies that do not have a registered office, management or permanent establishment in Germany but have taxable sales in Germany must register for VAT purposes in Germany.
We will be happy to advise you on whether you need to register for VAT purposes in Germany and take care of the registration.
Business registration
In addition to the fiscal registration, the business must be registered with the city or municipal administration in which the business or permanent establishment is opened.
For this purpose, a business registration form must be completed and sent to the responsible municipality.
You can also leave this to us.
Business registration and the issue of a business license are subject to a fee.
This is required, for example, for the registration of company cars or for company cards at certain supermarkets (e.g. Metro).
