Menu
Expat.com

Freelancer in India from USA company and living in German

Last activity 10 April 2023 by beppi

Post new topic

ganefreelance devops

Hi everyone, I am working in Germany with a resident permit and working as a freelancer for a USA company and paid to an Indian bank account registered. Do I need to pay tax in India on freelancer work or do I need to declare German tax authorities my second source of income?

beppi

This is the Germany forum, so we cannot advise on the tax situation in India - you may want to ask a tax consultant there, and check if there is a bilateral tax treaty.

I assume, in the following, that you hold a German visa that allows freelance work (otherwise you have bigger problems!) and that you have properly registed as freelancer or own a business for this.

You are definitely tax-liable in Germany, with your world income, as soon as you become resident. If there is a bilateral tax treaty (with India, or with USA? - three county arrangements are even more complex, so you should definitely ask a professional tax adviser about this!), it typically reduces the chance of being double-taxed, but usually gives taxation rights to the country where the work is perfomed (i.e, in your case, Germany).

In ANY case, you HAVE TO declare your entire world income in your yearly German tax declaration - because on one hand the tax authority (and not you) decides what is taxable here and what not, and on the other hand, even if it is not taxed, your world income will be used to calculate the progressive tax rate to be applied on the taxable portion (i.e. whatever you, and possible your spouse, earn in Germany). It will also be used to determine your German health insurance status and fees.

Since the issue is so complex (and doing it wrong, even unintentionally, is a criminal offense that can get you into deep trouble), you are well advised to engage a good tax consultant with experience in such international matters. They are rare!

Articles to help you in your expat project in Germany

  • Income tax in Germany
    Income tax in Germany

    When you begin to earn money in Germany, your income is subject to different kinds of deductions (i.e., retirement ...

  • Summer jobs in Germany
    Summer jobs in Germany

    The summer season in Germany begins in June and lasts until the end of August. These three months of the year ...

  • Elderly care in Germany
    Elderly care in Germany

    Germany may not have the sunshine and beaches of the Mediterranean or Southeast Asia, but it is among Europe's ...

  • Buying property in Frankfurt
    Buying property in Frankfurt

    Frankfurt has a very lively real estate market, and buying a house there is, without a doubt, a worthy long-term ...

  • Popular neighbourhoods in Frankfurt
    Popular neighbourhoods in Frankfurt

    Frankfurt is an international city and an important financial center in Europe, and each neighborhood has a story ...

  • Connecting to the internet in Germany
    Connecting to the internet in Germany

    Staying connected in Germany is easy thanks to its advanced telecommunications network and the widely available ...

  • Accommodation in Stuttgart
    Accommodation in Stuttgart

    Stuttgart, the capital city of the Baden-Württemberg region, is one of Germany's most diverse cities, ...

  • Things to do on weekdays in Frankfurt
    Things to do on weekdays in Frankfurt

    Frankfurt is a city of culture, fun, and many contrasts, which can be seen in the different neighborhoods and the ...

All of Germany's guide articles