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1. Why do you need a tax adviser (Steuerberater)?
| Reason | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dealing with the tax office (Finanzamt) | Preparing your tax returns (Steuererklärung) and VAT advance returns (Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung) |
| Managing your bookkeeping | Ongoing bookkeeping (Buchführung) + annual financial statements (Jahresabschluss) |
| Tax advice | Choosing the optimal legal form (Rechtsform), reducing your tax burden |
| Support during audits | Assistance with audits by the tax office, customs (Zoll) or social insurance authorities |
| Official representation | Entitled to represent you formally before authorities |
2. How much does a Steuerberater cost? (according to StBVV)
➤ StBVV = Steuerberatervergütungsverordnung (German regulation on tax adviser fees)
It is a regulation that sets minimum and maximum fees for each type of service.
The fee is often calculated as a percentage of what is called the:
Gegenstandswert = the value on which the work is based (for example, total income or turnover).
Examples of common price ranges
| Service | Fee according to StBVV | Approximate range for small businesses |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly bookkeeping | Based on turnover | About €100–300 per month |
| VAT advance return (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung) | Based on monthly turnover | About €30–100 |
| Annual financial statement (Jahresabschluss) | Based on profit + complexity | About €500–1,500 per year |
| Income-surplus statement (EÜR) | Simple cases | About €200–600 |
| Tax return (e.g. income tax) | Based on income level | About €150–600 |
| Hourly consulting | Between €60 and €140/hour depending on effort | Typically €90–120/hour |
For some services, especially for small businesses and freelancers, you can agree on a fixed fee (Pauschale).
3. How to choose the right Steuerberater
| Point | What to look for? |
|---|---|
| Specialisation | Does he/she have experience in your industry? (restaurants, retail, e-commerce, etc.) |
| Communication | Does the adviser explain things in simple terms? Are they reachable by phone? |
| Digital tools | Do they use software such as DATEV or modern accounting software? |
| Price transparency | Do you receive a clear written offer? |
| Response time | Do they reply to your questions regularly and in a timely way? |
Warning:
Do not work with anyone who does not sign a written Steuerberatervertrag (tax adviser contract).
Also be careful with unlicensed bookkeepers (Buchhalter) – they are not allowed to give legally binding tax advice.
The editorial team of this website aims to provide accurate information based on careful research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur or certain details may not be fully verified. Therefore, the information in these articles should be regarded as an initial, non-binding guide. For binding and legally reliable advice, you should always contact the competent authorities or qualified professionals.
