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What does "Ertragsvorschau" mean in English?

Business, Employment • 
Last updated on 15 March 2024

The term “Ertragsvorschau” translates to “revenue forecast” or “profit and loss statement” in English. It is a document that outlines an individual’s or business’s expected income and expenses over a certain period.

What is “Ertragsvorschau”?

In the context of applying for a German freelance visa, the Ertragsvorschau is a crucial document. It demonstrates to the German authorities how an applicant plans to sustain themselves financially while living in Germany. This document is particularly relevant for freelancers and self-employed individuals moving to Berlin or anywhere else in Germany, as it forms part of the application process for obtaining a freelance visa[1][2]. The Ertragsvorschau must show realistic, yet ambitious, estimates of income and expenses, as a higher projected income can potentially lead to the issuance of a longer visa[1].

More information about “Ertragsvorschau”

The Ertragsvorschau should not include personal living expenses like apartment rent but should focus on business-related expenses such as office rent, trade tax (Gewerbesteuer) if applicable, and other business taxes[1]. It’s important to note that freelancers (Freiberufler) in Germany are not required to pay trade tax, which differentiates them from other types of self-employed individuals (selbständig)[3].

Here are some additional terms that are related to Ertragsvorschau:

  • Freiberufler: A freelancer or professional practicing a liberal profession, such as a doctor, lawyer, or artist. Freiberufler benefit from certain tax advantages in Germany, including exemption from trade tax[3].
  • Gewerbesteuer: The trade tax applicable to business owners in Germany. The amount of Gewerbesteuer paid can reduce the income tax owed[1].
  • Selbständig: Refers to being self-employed in a commercial sense, such as owning a store or selling physical products. This status differs from being a Freiberufler mainly in terms of tax obligations and the requirement to pay trade tax[3].

Understanding the Ertragsvorschau and related terms is essential for freelancers and self-employed individuals planning to move to Berlin or elsewhere in Germany, as it directly impacts the visa application process and tax obligations.

Sources

[1] https://allaboutberlin.com/docs/ertragsvorschau [2] https://allaboutberlin.com/glossary/Ertragsvorschau [3] https://notanomadblog.com/freelance-visa-germany/ [4] https://www.uslegalforms.com/form-library/111653-ertragsvorschau-profit-and-loss-account-2020 [5] https://storage.infodeniz.com/infopack/032f58a2-6fbd-4bb1-b9d4-d9d91b667391.pdf [6] https://www.essentialpackingchecklists.com/german-freelance-visa-finance-forms/ [7] https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/berlin-crises [8] https://www.pdffiller.com/258306646-BIS_Kapitalbedarfsplan_deutsch_englisch-datapdf-ertragsvorschau- [9] https://courses.tom-bradford.com/courses/1387661/lectures/31902564 [10] https://www.businesslocationcenter.de/fileadmin/user_upload/download/bis_ertragsvorschau_de_en.pdf [11] https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/3072635/the-berlin-airlift-what-it-was-its-importance-in-the-cold-war/ [12] https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/germany-visa/freelance-visa-germany-requirements/ [13] https://www.ccri.edu/faculty_staff/worldlang/panaccione/Fa15/KMooneBerlinWall.pdf [14] https://www.linguee.com/german-english/translation/auftragsvorschau.html [15] https://www.britannica.com/place/Berlin/History [16] https://www.reddit.com/r/berlin/comments/ijvm8j/everything_in_my_111page_freelancer_visa/ [17] https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/declassified_156163.htm [18] https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/freelance-visa [19] https://allemagneenfrance.diplo.de/fr-de/service/visa/-/2582822