English-Speaking Tax Advisor in Germany: The Complete Guide

Can anyone give tax advice in Germany?

No, and this is one of the most consequential facts for anyone choosing a provider. Under §3 StBerG, only a defined set of professionals may give unbeschränkte Hilfeleistung in Steuersachen (unlimited assistance in tax matters). That set is:

• Steuerberater (tax advisors) and Steuerbevollmächtigte (tax agents);
• Rechtsanwälte (lawyers) and established European lawyers (niedergelassene europäische Rechtsanwälte);
• Wirtschaftsprüfer (auditors) and vereidigte Buchprüfer (sworn auditors);
• and defined professional companies formed by those persons.

Anyone outside that list is forbidden by §5 StBerG from providing tax assistance on a commercial basis. This is why you should always confirm that the person actually filing and advising on your taxes is §3-authorised, not merely helpful. It is also why our firm uses partner framing: we coordinate and translate, and a licensed Steuerberater carries the reserved advice.

Tax advisor vs bookkeeper (Buchhalter): what each may legally do

"Buchhalter" (bookkeeper) is an unprotected title: anyone may use it. A Buchhalter may prepare your bookkeeping and supporting documents, but may not submit tax declarations or financial statements and may not advise you on tax. Equally important, a Buchhalter is not professionally liable for filing errors. Only a Steuerberater holds the §3 StBerG authorisation to file on your behalf and carries personal professional liability for the work. The practical takeaway: a cheaper bookkeeper can keep your books, but only a Steuerberater can file your returns and stand behind the advice. We explain where each fits in our guide to accounting and bookkeeping services.

What does a tax advisor do for your company?

For a German company (typically a GmbH), a tax advisor covers the full lifecycle, not just the annual return. A Steuerberater can handle:

• annual tax returns (corporation, trade and income tax as applicable);
• ongoing bookkeeping and VAT (Umsatzsteuer) filings;
• payroll and wage-tax (Lohnsteuer) administration;
• preparation of annual financial statements and balance sheets;
• tax planning and structuring;
• representation before the Finanzamt, in audits (Betriebsprüfung) and before the fiscal courts, which is core to the §3 StBerG mandate.

A Steuerberater is also bound by a statutory professional secrecy obligation (Berufsgeheimnis) that continues indefinitely, even after the engagement ends. For depth on each area, see our guides to German corporate taxes, VAT registration in Germany, payroll services and annual financial statements.

What does a tax advisor cost in Germany? (the StBVV explained)

German tax-advisor fees are not improvised. They are set by a binding federal ordinance, the Steuerberatervergütungsverordnung (StBVV). The mechanism is straightforward once you see it: a fee is calculated from the "object value" (Gegenstandswert), for example your turnover, income or business assets, multiplied by a "tenths rate" (a fraction from 1/10 to 10/10, with 5/10 as the typical mid-value), read off the relevant fee table (tables A to E). Where the work is not value-based, the advisor may charge a time fee under §13 StBVV. A fixed flat fee is permissible only through a written (text-form) agreement.

This is a genuine consumer protection: an advisor may charge above or below the StBVV only by a fee agreement in text form, which means you should never be surprised by an arbitrary bill. The figures below show how the model plays out in practice. If this is the right fit for your business, book a consultation and we will give you a written, transparent scope.

Worked fee example (indicative, as of 2026-06-10)

The figures below are illustrative, based on a business with €80,000 turnover, to show how the StBVV mechanics translate into euros. The StBVV tables are periodically uprated, so treat these as indicative; your actual fee follows your written fee agreement.

Indicative figures (integral.de), all plus 19% VAT, as of 2026-06-10. StBVV tables are periodically uprated; actuals are set by your written fee agreement.

German tax-filing deadlines (and how an advisor extends them)

One concrete benefit of engaging a Steuerberater is time. Taxpayers who file through a tax advisor receive an automatic extension of roughly seven months, with no separate application required: it follows from being advised. Note that the table states the tax year with every date, because the dates differ by year. The advised deadlines for tax years 2024 and 2025 still reflect the wind-down of the pandemic-era extensions; the standard rhythm (non-advised by 31 July, advised by the end of February) resumes from tax year 2026. After the deadlines table, book a consultation if you want us to take the filing off your hands.

Filing deadlines by tax year

Source: finanzamt-bw.fv-bwl.de (state portal stating the federally-uniform AO deadlines, applicable nationwide), accessed 2026-06-10.

What happens if you file late? (§152 AO penalty)

A late filing can trigger a late-filing surcharge (Verspätungszuschlag) under §152 AO. The mechanics are: 0.25% of the assessed tax per started month of delay, with a minimum of €25 per month for annual returns (the general minimum is €10 per month for other declarations) and a maximum of €25,000. The surcharge becomes mandatory once a return is more than 14 months late.

The nuance matters, so do not read "€25 per month" as automatic in every case. Before the 14-month point, the surcharge is partly discretionary, and it is waivable where the delay is excusable. It is also not applied where the deadline was extended (for example, because you are advised) or where the assessed tax is zero or negative. The practical lesson: filing through an advised, on-time process is the cleanest way to keep §152 AO out of the picture entirely.

Getting tax advice in English: how we work

Here is the framing we hold to, because it is both honest and a legal requirement. Our firm coordinates your tax engagement in English and works with a licensed German Steuerberater who serves clients in English. The firm itself does not give reserved tax advice and is not a Steuerberater; the licensed professional we partner with carries the §3 StBerG authorisation, files on your behalf and is professionally liable. You get a single English-speaking point of contact across the full lifecycle: German corporate taxes, VAT registration in Germany, accounting and bookkeeping services, annual financial statements and payroll services.

Anna Müller is a Legal Consultant at gmbh-germany.com, helping international founders and expats navigate German tax and corporate compliance in English.