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What does "Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung" mean in English?

Last updated on 15 March 2024

The “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung” translates to “Tax Registration Questionnaire” in English. It is a form used in Germany to register a new business or freelance activity with the tax authorities.

What is “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung”?

The “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung” is a mandatory form that must be completed by all businesses and self-employed individuals in Germany to register with the Finanzamt (tax office). This registration is necessary to obtain a tax number (Steuernummer), a VAT number (Umsatzsteuernummer) if VAT is charged, and an entry in the trade register (Handelsregister) if required[2]. Since 2021, the form must be filled out online, and there are various ways to complete it, including using the official ELSTER platform, third-party services like Sorted, or with the assistance of a tax advisor[2][6].

More information about “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung”

The form collects detailed information about the business or freelance activity, including the type of occupation, business name, start date, and contact details. It also includes sections for bank account information and special tax procedures if applicable. The Finanzamt uses the information provided to determine whether the registrant is a tradesperson (Gewerbe) or a freelancer (Freiberufler), which has implications for the need for a trade licence (Gewerbeschein)[2][3].

Here are some additional terms that are related to “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung”:

  • Finanzamt: The local tax office responsible for tax collection and administration.
  • Steuernummer: A tax number assigned to a business or individual for tax purposes.
  • Umsatzsteuernummer: A VAT identification number required for businesses charging VAT.
  • Handelsregister: The trade register where certain businesses must be listed.
  • ELSTER: The official online platform for tax-related services in Germany.
  • Gewerbeschein: A trade licence required for certain types of businesses.
  • Freiberufler: A freelancer who typically does not require a trade licence.
  • Gewerbe: A trade or business that may require registration with the trade office and a trade licence.

Completing the “Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung” is a critical step in establishing a business or freelance activity in Germany, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and enabling the issuance of official invoices[2][3].

Sources

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdyrdnornoQ [2] https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung [3] https://www.accountable.de/en/blog/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-germany/ [4] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281197394_Entwicklung_und_Validierung_eines_Kurzfragebogens_zur_Erfassung_von_allgemeiner_und_facettenspezifischer_Arbeitszufriedenheit [5] https://allaboutberlin.com/docs/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung [6] https://expath.com/knowledge-base/germany/how-to-do-the-fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-part-1 [7] https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/11740/publikationen/2023-05-25_texte_00-2023_messung_nachhaltigkeit_tourismus.pdf [8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIXalaS8fI0 [9] https://www.accountable.de/en/blog/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung/ [10] https://www.bbsr.bund.de/BBSR/DE/veroeffentlichungen/bbsr-online/2022/bbsr-online-05-2022-dl.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2 [11] https://www.ihk.de/koblenz/unternehmensservice/unternehmensgruendung/wissenswertes-und-veranstaltungen/wissenswertes/auskunftspflicht-nach-138-absatz-1b-ao-bei-betriebseroeffnung-4996064 [12] https://www.firma.de/en/company-formation/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-tax-registration-questionnaire/ [13] https://www.dhbw.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Dokumente/Forschung/Forschungstag_2023/DHBW_Forschungstag_2023_Digitaler_Tagungsband.pdf [14] https://www.finanzamt.bayern.de/Informationen/Steuerinfos/Haeufig_gestellte_Fragen/Steuernummer/ [15] https://mystartupgermany.com/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-english/ [16] https://www.accountable.de/blog/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung/ [17] https://blog.holvi.com/fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-2021 [18] https://allaboutberlin.com/glossary/Fragebogen%20zur%20steuerlichen%20Erfassung [19] https://expath.com/knowledge-base/germany/how-to-do-the-fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-part-2 [20] https://www.accountable.de/blog/so-fullst-du-den-fragebogen-zur-steuerlichen-erfassung-richtig-aus/