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Setting up one s own business
- Anne Marshall
- 3 years ago
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1 Setting up one s own business
2 2 Note: For reasons of readability only the female or male spelling will be used. It is representative of both designations. The preparation of the brochure has been done with the utmost diligence. However, there is no claim to completeness. A liability for accuracy as regards content (with the exception of intent or gross negligence) will not be assumed. Full or partial reproduction is subject to prior approval of the Bavarian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry e.v.
3 3 1 Preface Person and Idea The founder-check Am I an entrepreneur? Self-employment has to pay off Stumbling blocks for persons setting up in business The business idea The great success Taking over a business Export and import Special form of setting up business franchising General conditions Principle of economic freedom Choice of location Business premises Business concept External success factors The final check Profit planning and budgeting Calculation examples Securing the cost of living Return on net worth Costs and expenses Turnover How to guarantee permanent success? Liquidity plan Corporations and legislation A jungle of responsibilities and regulations Tax law Turnover tax Umsatzsteuer Income tax and corporation income tax Einkommen- und Körperschaftsteuer Trade tax Gewerbesteuer Duty to keep records and accounts Trade Law How to apply for the registration of a trade Corporation law Choice of the legal form Entry in the commercial register: Advantages and disadvantages Small trades and commercial enterprises Partnerships (Personenunternehmen) Legal entities Special forms Legal forms in comparison Industrial law Vocational training of apprentices Engagement of personnel Employment of foreign employees Short-term employment Financing Forms of financing Leasing Review of credit standing Public Promotion Programs Different forms of public financing ERP-capital for setting up in business by the KfW (ERP-Kapital für Gründung der KfW) KfW-Gründerkredit-StartGeld (KfW start-up loan start money) KfW-Gründerkredit-Universell (KfW start-up loan universal) Startkredit der LfA Förderbank Bayern (start-up loan granted by the LfA Förderbank Bayern) Promotion policy for the improvement of regional structure Suretyships Equity participation Gründungszuschuss (start-up allowance for persons receiving unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld I) Einstiegsgeld (start-up benefit for persons receiving unemployment benefit ALG II) Grant for start-ups from university in the initial phase Program for the promotion of technology orientated start-ups BayTOU Research and development program IuK-Technik Social security of the business Insurance law Public liability insurance Property insurances The principle of personal responsibility Self employed, employed or fictitiously self-employed Farmers Artists and publicists Workers from home (Hausgewerbetreibende), homeworker
4 4 (Heimarbeiter) and intermediaries (Zwischenmeister) Corporate Partners Fictitious self-employment Health insurance Compulsory health insurance and private additional insurance Compulsory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) Private health insurance Nursing care insurance Compulsory coverage Pension insurance Statutory insurance for selfemployed with the statutory social security systems Contribution Multiple insurance Self-employed secondary activity Voluntary insurance with the compulsory pension insurance Compulsory insurance upon application Supplementary income for persons receiving pension Vocational disability and reduced earning capacity Pension for reduced earning capacity of the compulsory pension insurance Coverage by voluntary contributions Government-sponsored retirement provision Addresses Compulsory accident insurance Compulsory registration when setting up a commercial business Occurence of event insured Group of persons insured Notification of insured event Insurance of the entrepreneur Workers from home and intermediaries Contribution payment Unemployment insurance Unemployment insurance upon application Employment of family members Continued-pay-insurance The social security funds (Sozialkassen) Company registration number for employees (see also ) Income thresholds Appendix Addresses of industrial employers liability insurance associations Further help offered by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce Seminar on how to set up in business by the Chambers of Industry and Commerce Forum for start-up businesses Detailed information Further start-up aids Consulting agencies for start-ups The Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce
5 5 1 Preface In most cases the winner of a race can be made out right from the start - this rule of thumb does not only apply to the world of sports. According to a study surveying founders of new businesses in Munich and Upper Bavaria every second person setting up in business is giving up after four years the reasons are often bad preparation and avoidable beginner s mistakes. Apart from courage and a good idea the right strategy is important for selfemployment. With this brochure, the Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce would like to lead you to the road of success from the beginning. On the following pages we explain how to minimise the risks of self-employment by exact planning. You will receive many tips, advice and ideas to help you master the starting problems of every company: the hurdle-race across bureaucratic barriers, the employment of employees and the social coverage for entrepreneurs. The thorough study of this brochure is certainly not a guarantee for economic success but it may help to avoid making fundamental mistakes when setting up in business. Afterwards it is up to you to convert your ideas and abilities into rising turnover and profits. With our liberal social economic system all possibilities are open to you. The Bavarian Chambers of Industry and Commerce would like to accompany you on your way to a successful small and medium sized business, group of affiliated companies or world market leader. We congratulate you on your decision to set up your own business. Welcome to the exciting world of economics! Prof. Dr. Dr. hc.c. mult. Erich Greipl President of the Bavarian Association of Chambers of Commerce Peter Driessen Managing Director of the Bavarian Association of Chambers of Commerce
6 6 1 Person and Idea 1.1 The founder-check The step into self-employment opens wonderful prospects: no more trouble with boss and colleagues, the chance to finally line one s own pockets, to enjoy more freedom as employees and the chance to earn a lot of money. The biggest motivation however should be to develop your creative power as an entrepreneur to develop a business idea and to establish it on the market, to take over responsibility for yourself and your employees, to expand into new markets. Those mastering these challenges will experience a sense of achievement and self-realization employees will never experience. These advantages however come at a price: Self-employed persons do not receive a fixed salary. They carry and feel economic risks. Profits and losses of their company have an immediate effect on their income. Self-employed can rise a lot higher but also fall a lot deeper than employees. Those setting up in business therefore have to know their risks, analyse them and have the corresponding strategies on hand because otherwise the founding of a business can become an incalculable game of chance. Of course good fortune is also part of a successful start. With the right preparation risks can be minimized and calculated. Champagne or water entrepreneurs can decide what awaits them when they reach their objective of founding a business Am I an entrepreneur? Movie fans know the common scene prior to the start of a plane or rocket. The pilots or astronauts check all instruments and if everything is okay the flight can take off. In order to avoid a crash-landing everyone setting up in business should do a start-up-check as well. The first step is the critical examination of oneself by answering the following questions honestly: Do I have enough self-discipline and stamina? Am I physically and mentally fit enough to handle the challenges of being an entrepreneur? Am I mentally fit enough to get through times of crisis? Can and will I do without regular working hours and vacations? How is my current financial situation? Do I possess start-up capital? Can I inspire others with my ideas? No-one setting up in business should take these advance-considerations lightly. Today s economic situation is placing enormous demands on entrepreneurs. To be successful many talents and abilities are needed. Skills, knowledge, sales talent, decision-making, risk and operational readiness as well as the necessary intuition for the business characterize successful entrepreneurs. The best heads can therefore be found in trade and industry and not in the local administration. The following example clearly shows the significance of being an entrepreneur-type : In 1886 the chemist druggist John S. Pemberton developed by chance the formula for Coca- Cola. He had no idea of the treasure he held in his hands. Pemberton sold no more than 15 glasses of Coke per day and gave up soon. Five years later a gentleman called Candler bought the sole right for exploitation of the soft drink for a mere 2,300 US-Dollars. Candler had the necessary vision and the entrepreneurial instinct he realized immediately the enormous potential of the soft drink. Within only four years he had established a distribution
7 7 net for the United States and shortly afterwards started exporting to Canada and Mexico in a short period of time Coca Cola became one of the most successful products worldwide Self-employment has to pay off To be rich and famous not every self-employed will and can achieve this goal nearly every graduate has - but in the end self-employment has to pay off. That may sound trite, nonetheless many self-employed have a lack of even rudimentary book keeping knowledge and even turnover millionaires go bankrupt once in a while. An example: Bernd and Eve know each other from university. After the degree Bernd decided to play safe and receives a monthly salary of 3,170 Euros gross as an employee. Eve always wanted to be self-employed and has a liking for textiles. She is planning to take over a business. If she wants to be at least in the same financial position as Bernd she will need a monthly profit of 4,039 Euros. Projected that would mean a yearly profit of 48,468 Euros. Will that be possible? The answer depends a lot on how much turnover will be necessary to realize this profit. The interfactory comparative study of the Economic Research Institute ( can help with this calculation. Every year this statistic determines costs and returns of different retail branches. The operational profit for a retail business for textiles for example amounts on average to between 0.3 and 3.8 per cent of the turnover. In the best case Eve would need an annual turnover of 1,275,000 Euros to earn the same as the employed Bernd. These average numbers, however, only give a first clue. An especially low rent can reduce the costs considerably. On the other hand the rent in top-locations is a lot higher and therefore more turnover has to be achieved. Check therefore thoroughly whether you can achieve the calculated turnover even if only in the forseeable future. And no illusions please! The first years are usually a tough time. Profit and working time are in no appropriate proportion. Even Bill Gates had to overcome a long dry spell in his early years. Despite the welcome independence of entrepreneurs, persons setting up in business should also consider the possible advantages of participations in voluntary cooperations and cooperatives. Especially in trading purchase prices can be reduced considerably by a common line of action or the advertising effect for individual businesses can be intensified. In the end only an individual, tailor-made analysis will help the entrepreneur to-be. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce can supply you with the necessary location-specific information regarding turnover, costs, margins and profits of intercompany comparisons of the retail and wholesale and the hotel- and restaurant business Stumbling blocks for persons setting up in business Every year thousands of good business ideas fail at typical hurdles. This is also shown by a survey regarding the biggest problems in the critical starting phase of the business: every second entrepreneur sees the biggest threat in the difficulty to resolve financing problems. 43 per cent complain about the difficult balance between job and private life and about one third suffer under overwhelming tax burdens. Noteworthy is the high status people setting up in business allocate to the problem of lacking time for their private life. Prospective entrepreneurs should therefore get straight whether their relationship and their family life will stand up to a starting self-employment. In case your
8 8 partner is not going along it is usually difficult to maintain the motivation for the independence. Unfortunately many self-employed still fail due to hair-raising shortcomings of qualification and information. The most basic obligations to keep account and tax regulations are ignored, overwhelming competition or lacking purchasing power disregarded or the real earning chances are extremely overrated. For a number of entrepreneurs who have managed to sail around these first cliffs effortless typical mistakes in financial planning will be their undoing: You should not underestimate the amount of the investment volume, especially not that of the stock in trade! Persons setting up in business often shy away from high debts. Coming from an activity as salaried employee they are not used to enter into obligations in considerable amounts. After a successful start-up phase there might not be enough capital for an expansion of the business. The merchandise cannot be stocked-up, lucrative orders not be financed in advance. Many entrepreneurs underestimate financial consequences and the length of the start-up phase. Mistakes in the timing schedule aggravate this problem. In many branches and sectors of the economy you will find a distinct seasonal movement which might cause hard times if you chose your opening time unfavourably. It is for example more than unfavourable to open a toy shop on January 2 as nearly two third of the turnover is achieved between November and December. In the start-up euphoria some founders might lose the overview regarding due interest and amortization payments. For bank loans for example the redemption often starts after six months at a time where most companies still make losses. Better alternatives are therefore public financing aids offering effective assistance in the form of a grace period. 1.2 The business idea The great success The secret of a good business idea can be reduced to the formula the right product, at the right time, at the right location. The most promising ideas are those guaranteeing a USP (unique selling proposition) which means that there is no other comparable product or service on the market. A good example is the operating system DOS developed by Bill Gates. A fortunate combination of all decisive success factors enabled him to establish his operating system as the standard software for the majority of computers worldwide. Due to the predominance of Microsoft it is now basically impossible to launch a new operating system on the market. Unfortunately good business ideas don t grow on trees. Even sure-fire tips from friends have to be considered very carefully. But even if you don t have a good idea yourself there are many possibilities for a successful start into independence. One example would be franchising businesses where the entrepreneur pays for the use of the successful idea of someone else. Often the start into independence as a secondary occupation is recommended. While the job guarantees the livelihood the person setting up in business can try out the implementation of his business idea. Taking over a business is also an easy and safe way into independence.
9 Taking over a business Taking over an existing business can be an alternative to a new foundation. Taking over a business however requires careful planning so the new proprietor is not going to shipwreck. The following has to be considered: The motive: why is the current proprietor giving up his business? A lot of scepticism is needed as nobody is giving up a goldmine. Location: Has the quality of the location deteriorated in the last years or will it do so in the near future? The transport connection is a very important aspect. The rededication of a street to a one-way-street, the dislocation of a close stop of the public transport system or the transfer of administrative offices or companies which guaranteed for the majority of personal callers usually have fatal consequences. Will the competition situation aggravate in the near future due to the fact that a hypermarket is opening nearby? In the course of the takeover negotiations, the previous owner will present the balance sheet of the previous business year. Does this inform only about the achieved turnovers then you should be especially cautious. High turnover can also be achieved with very low prices. Even though the customers snap at the chance the owner often does not even cover his costs with the achieved proceeds. Checking the current price labelling in the window or of the goods provides an informative basis. The average prices of businesses in the same line serve as a benchmark. Strikingly lower prices require a plausible explanation. Critical evaluation of the profitability: is the business going to loose part of the established client base with the current owner? Did the previous owner dispose of many personal relations guaranteeing turnover and especially low wholesale prices? Have important economic data worsened lately or are they likely to worsen? Striking low personnel costs are often the result of a family business. In case the successor does not have the same big kinship willing to work, missing family members have to be replaced by personnel that has to be paid adequately. Maybe the previous owner had considerable capital resources and all invoices could be paid with prompt-payment discount. The operating costs resulting from the profit- and loss account should correspond to the average values of the interfactory comparative studies of the Economic Research Institute. Furthermore a look into the rental conditions is important. Several rent increases in the previous years or a threatening rent increase are a clear warning sign. Furthermore it has to be checked whether the current conditions of the rental contract can be transferred to the new owner. In case the new owner is carrying on the name of a company entered in the commercial register he is liable for all debts of the previous owner. This can be avoided by a corresponding reference in the commercial register, the so-called exemption from liability. In case you take on apprentices please contact the consultant for vocational training at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. By taking over a business or parts of a business the new owner enters into the rights and obligations of employment relationships existing at the time of the takeover. Due to the exchange of ownership special restrictions on giving notice do apply. In case of a complete takeover the new owner is liable for tax sins of his predecessor. According to the fiscal code those taking over a business as a whole are liable to the tax office for unpaid value-added tax and not or incomplete paid wage taxes of the previous
10 10 owner as well as for unpaid trade tax to the local authority. This liability goes back to the start of the calendar year preceding the year of the take-over of the business. This liability cannot be excluded by corresponding clauses in the purchase contract. However, to be certain that tax arrears do not exist the seller can ask the tax office and the local authority (regarding the trade tax) for a corresponding certificate. This certificate should also indicate whether the due advance value-added tax returns and reports of wage-debt returns have been submitted Purchase or lease? The question purchase or lease? cannot be answered in general. Instead the advantages and disadvantages have to be considered individually. As a matter of principle the lease of a business saves capital resources but results in high and regular annual costs in the following years. The leasehold rent consists of three components: the rent customary in the locality for the business premises as well as a compensation for the use of the inventory and a remuneration for the use of the goodwill. The lease option is especially advantageous if the transferee has a low equity base at his disposal and if the value of the inventory is high. In the service sector the inventory factor is of no consequence the decisive factor here is the size and the quality of the client base. In the retail trade you usually have to redeem the stock in trade which requires considerable resources. In relation to the sum required for the stock in trade the take-over of the inventory is of no consequence. As a rule the purchase of a business is usually more reasonable Goodwill Many books have been written about the determination of goodwill. The would-be selfemployed has the choice: he can either read huge tomes and deal with scientifically founded methods of calculation or he keeps to rules of thumb for this practice. At any rate the following applies: every price, including that of a business, is based on supply and demand. For your negotiations the following should be considered: the smaller a business the more the success depends on the individual. Goodwill exists only if at all for a limited period of time and so it depends on the purchaser whether a retail business will be successful or not. Goodwill will be paid more readily if the necessary knowledge for successful management can be easily acquired. Therefore refreshment kiosks, Bierstüberl, newspaper and magazine kiosks and tobacco shops are sought after which has to be rewarded accordingly Export and import Globalisation, the Euro and the EU-expansion will increase the complexity of the Bavarian economy with foreign markets in the years to come even more. This constitutes the medium for promising ideas in export and import. The legal framework for export and import is constituted by the Foreign Trade and Payments Law (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz AWG) and the German foreign trade regulations (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung). Apart from some exceptions nearly all articles of manufacture can be imported globally and without consideration to country of origin, country of purchase or country of shipping exempt from licensing. On the import list (Einfuhrliste) you can find out whether the import is permissible without a licence, on certain conditions or not at all. The customs declaration is done on the import registration.
11 11 The same framework applies to exports: here the so-called export control list (Ausfuhrliste) and the export registration (Ausfuhranmeldung) apply accordingly. In the European Single Market all custom documents for goods circulating in the open market have been dropped. The open market includes goods manufactured within the customs territory of the European Union or for which duties have already been paid when imported to the EU customs territory. Should you want to gain a foothold in foreign markets or expand your export content you should master at least the essential features of the export trade. These include the following requirements: Knowledge in customs legislation and the External Economic Relations Act Sufficient knowledge of suitable distribution channels, how to file an offer abroad and how to conclude export contracts as well as how to formulate the terms and conditions of delivery and sale Knowledge of export financing possibilities and the governmental and private export credit insurance. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce are the first contact for the above mentioned prerequisites and all other questions concerning international business. In cooperation with the Bavarian ministry of economics, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce offer a practical development program pertaining to foreign trade. These measures are especially suited to find customers and business partners abroad. All essential information and contact persons concerning international sales can be obtained from the Außenwirtschaftsportal Bayern (foreign trade and payments portal), a service set up by the Bavarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The webpage facilitates the entry into the world of export and import Special form of setting up business franchising Franchising is another possibility for setting up business. Franchising is a distribution system based on partnership with the target of sales promotion. The franchiser is granting several partners, the franchise holders, the right to operate a business with products or services in the name of the franchiser. The franchiser is offering a commercial master plan which is implemented by the franchise holder independently at his place of location. The franchise holder is a legally independent and self dependent operating contractor. The consideration of the franchise holder for the rights granted by the franchiser usually consists in the payment of admission and/or franchise fees and the obligation to work the regional market. 1.3 General conditions Principle of economic freedom In Germany the principle of economic freedom applies. The state does not require any specialized knowledge, passed exams or other admission requirements. Everyone can set up a business. First of all it is sufficient to register the business and to apply for a trading licence ( Gewerbeschein ). The state has trust in the personal responsibility of the entrepreneur and the beneficial forces of the market as unqualified or untrustworthy selfemployed do not stand a chance in competition. A solid occupational training, further
12 12 education in connection with one or several practical trainings are therefore essential prerequisites for a successful career. Freedom of trade applies especially to all areas of trade, wholesale and retail, the trade with articles of food or cosmetic products. Only the retail of pharmaceutical products not requiring a prescription as well as the professional breeding and keeping of pets (apart from agricultural working animals), the operation of a riding stable or ferry service as well as the exhibition of animals are subject to special conditions. Several trade activities i.e. wholesale and retail can also be combined. However, it would only be allowed to use the description wholesale in connection with a wholesale activity as it might otherwise violate competition law. A retail shop can also offer services such as the installation, maintenance, or the repair of technical equipment (it is important to recognise the distinction of handicraft and the special regulations of the Handicrafts Code) Trades subject to supervision Certain trades are subject to special supervision by the state in order to protect customers against dubious or even criminal suppliers. Trades subject to supervision are e.g. secondhand shops, credit enquiry agencies and detective agencies, marriage bureaus and travel agencies. In these lines of business special demands are made regarding the person carrying on the trade or business. The person carrying on the trade or business has to prove his personal integrity with a police reference and an excerpt from the central register of trade and industrial offences. The police reference and the excerpt from the central register of trade and industrial offences have to be applied for immediately in addition to the registration of the business at the relevant registration office for submission with the authority. Furthermore owners of trades subject to supervision have to undergo regular inspections by the trade authorities Trades subject to licence The operators of trades subject to licence have to fulfil even more requirements. This concerns commercial activities which might threaten the public welfare due to abuse and negligent execution. The granting of a permit requires the personal reliability of the applicant, the economic efficiency of the business and a corresponding professional qualification. This can be furnished by a proficiency examination (Fachkundeprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or a relevant long-standing managerial activity or previous professional experience. The following trades require a licence: The production of pharmaceutical products The trade with weapons The sale of unpacked milk ready for sale and products made of milk ready for sale The trade with pesticides Real estate agents (example for application form see page 14/15 Investment brokerage, investment advice Passenger transport including the so-called occasional transportation with rental car or taxi. Freight transportation with trucks, which, including trailer, have a total weight of more than 3.5 tons Auctions Guard and security services Pawnbrokers The operation of amusement arcades, the setting up of gambling machines Private hospitals
13 13 Driving schools Restaurants with the sale of alcoholic drinks Insurance intermediary, insurance agents Hotel and restaurant industry The hotel and catering industry plays a special role. According to the most recent amendment of the law regulating the restaurant business, effective since July 1, 2005, the liability of permission for small hotels has been abolished and for restaurants it has been limited to the sale of alcoholic drinks. Therefore the compulsory participation in the so-called Unterrichtungsverfahren at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce concerning the law relating to food production and distribution and the Sanitary Act only applies for businesses selling alcoholic drinks, Small hotels are only subject to the liability of permission according to the German law regulating the restaurant business and therefore to the participation in the so called Unterrichtungsverfahren, if the sale of alcoholic drinks is not limited to house guests. Otherwise the would-be caterer requires neither vocational experience nor another proof of professional expertise. Insurance intermediary, insurance agent As of May 22, 2007 new rules apply for independent insurance intermediaries and insurance agents. As a matter of principle they are subject to permission according to the trade regulations and have to be registered in the insurance intermediary registry. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce are responsible for the granting of permission and registration. Precondition for the granting of permission are proof of reliability, well-ordered financial circumstances, a professional indemnity insurance and corresponding expert knowledge. Dependent insurance intermediaries acting exclusively for one insurance company or, if the insurance products are not in competition, for several insurance companies, do not require a permission if the insurance company takes over unlimited liability for them. Dependent insurance intermediaries have to induce their registration in the insurance intermediary registry through the insurance company taking over unlimited liability for them Special statutory provisions Freedom of trade guarantees free access to the trade while carrying on the trade or profession can be regulated and limited in the public interest. Thus, the practice of the food retail trade is subject to certain regulations: health instructions, sanitary regulations, the Shop Hours Act, pricing regulations, the Foodstuffs and Commodities Act and the law of animal foods. For certain trades specific recording and information duties apply. According to the Dienstleistungs-Informationspflichten-Verordnung (DL-InfoV) (services information requirements provision) some service providers always have to provide certain information (i.e. name, company, legal form, contacting details, general terms and conditions etc.) prior to the conclusion of a contract or prior to the provision of services while other information only has to be provided upon request (i.e. information regarding occupational regulations, codes of conduct or extrajudicial arbitration etc.) only has to be supplied upon request.
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15 Licence for an itinerant trade Those selling goods or offering services while travelling around need an itinerant trade licence ( Reisegewerbekarte ). The itinerant trade licence is issued by the relevant district administrative authority i.e. the Landratsamt or kreisfreie Stadt. Required is once again the personal reliability of the applicant. The businessman has to apply for a police reference and an excerpt from the central register of trade and industrial offences at his local authority of his/her place of residence which has to be presented at the authority. The itinerant trade has been determined in 55 of the trade law (Gewerbeordnung) as follows: 55 Itinerant trade licence (1) An itinerant trade is one conducted as a business, without prior order operating outside their commercial place of business ( 42 Abs. 2) or without having such a place of business 1. independently or as an employed person in propria persona offering goods for sale, canvassing for orders or buying orders, offering services or canvassing for orders on services 2. carrying out independent activities as entertainers or in the way of public entertainment. (2) Those wanting to operate an itinerant trade need an itinerant trade licence.
16 16 An itinerant trade licence is not necessary if the businessperson is visiting other persons in their business premises (for example commercial representatives). They however, have to report their trade according to 14 trade law (Gewerbeordnung) if they have a commercial place of business at the same time. For employed persons (employees) the itinerant trade licence has been abolished. However, employees have to carry along a duplicate or a certified copy of the itinerant trade licence of their employer and show it on demand when contacting customers Handicraft The term handicraft is not defined by law. An indication is given in the Handicrafts Code. Annex A contains a list of 41 trades which can be operated as handicraft liable to registration. Only proprietors holding a master craftsman s certificate or an equivalent degree can operate an annex-a-handicraft independently. In case the proprietor does not hold this qualification he has to employ a correspondingly qualified production manager. The list in annex A however is no indication of the workmanlike operation of the trades listed therein. The listed trades can, but do not have to be operated workmanlike. In case partactivities of annex-a-professions are practiced it has to be examined whether substantial activities are concerned. If in doubt whether a workmanlike operation or a substantial activity is concerned the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Chamber of Handicrafts can provide information whether it would be considered a handicraft or general service. This way later problems can be avoided Freelance professions Doctors, lawyers or architects are typical representatives of freelance professions. These professions are considered intellectual, scientific or artistic activities. For each professional group regulations regarding admission to the profession and vocational practices apply. Information regarding freelance professions can be obtained from the relevant professional representations, the medical association, the bar association and the professional body of architects. 1.4 Choice of location Three things guarantee the success of a real estate object: location, location, location! This rule of thumb applies especially for retailers and the restaurant and catering business. According to current statistics businesses set up downtown turn out to be more solid than those in structurally weak regions. And indeed - it would be quite a bad idea to open a designer boutique in Kleinhartpenning or a gourmet Italian restaurant in Großdilching. The choice of location is therefore of existential significance for the foundation of a company. But hasn t the location of a business lost a lot of significance in times of new economy and globalisation? Experiences from Munich, a stronghold for people setting up in business, show the opposite. In the surroundings of town so called high-tech-clusters have developed: Genetic engineering and pharmaceutical companies seek the proximity to research and science institutes, software companies the contact to leading hardware manufacturers and the innovative foundation scene depends on close contact to venturecapital-companies. The choice of the right location is a long-term decision. Rental and lease contracts usually can t be terminated during the term of the rental contract. It is quite expensive to move a company to a better location. Every would-be entrepreneur therefore should be very careful considering the choice of location. Decisions according to instinct or a feeling ( I like it here )
17 17 are bad advice. The best way is a location analysis based on the following operational considerations: Size and range of the catchment area and the number of potential customers Volume of purchasing power of the inhabitants Achievable potential of turnover Realistic estimation of competitive conditions. How many and especially how many big comparable competitors can be found nearby? How attractive is your line of goods? Is the planned location of your business permanently competitive? This includes aspects like visibility of the shop, transport links, links to public transport. Are there sufficient jobs? Is the shop accessible for pedestrians? Availability of suitable and affordable personnel. The most difficult question of all is to check whether the rent or real estate price to be paid is in a reasonable proportion to the expected turnover. The self-employed faces quite a dilemma: Top locations promise high turnover but scare with a horrendous store rental. At the start of a business often fixed-term rental contracts for business premises (usually for 5 years or more) are concluded. It is urgently advised against doing so as the lessee is unable to terminate the contract ahead of time. Especially the suspension of operation of the business is no reason for a termination without notice as the operational risk is solely within the scope of the lessee. For open-ended rental contracts a regular notice period of six months applies (attention: the notice has to be received by the lessor on the third working day of a quarter at the latest in order for the tenancy to end by the next quarter. Example: with a notice given on April 2 the tenancy will end on September 30). However, is a fixed rental contract desired an extraordinary right of termination should be included stating that the business premises can be terminated with a regular notice period in case the business enterprise is given up. It is advisable to get legal advice from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or a lawyer before concluding a rental contract. In the city outskirts and the surrounding region the rent is significantly lower. However, without publicity campaigns it will be difficult to attract customers. For certain branches this can be an advantage. To save rent and to spend more on publicity campaigns can present those offering standardised mass products with good chances. In every case the founder has to find the right balance. The advantages of the location should clearly outweigh the disadvantages. A location analysis by an independent consultancy firm is a valuable aid to decision making. As for further important strategic decisions to be taken later, it is usually useful to consult a consultancy firm. The Federal Government and the Bavarian Government encourage the management consultancy with high grants. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce also gives detailed information concerning the corresponding promotion rules. 1.5 Business premises One of the biggest hurdles when setting up in business is the provision of adequate business premises. Even Bill Gates had to develop his software in his garage before an order by IBM freed him of all his worries. However, this model from sunny California cannot be transferred to the conditions in Germany. Not every apartment or room can be converted into business premises. Apart from the agreement of the landlord in certain areas the conversion for non-designated use requires the approval of the district administrative authority if more than 50 per cent of the floor space is used commercially. The intended change of utilization might be subject to authorization according to the Bavarian building regulations.
18 18 Development and municipal development plans of the city or municipality have to be considered as well. The use order stipulates that in certain areas i.e. residential areas, commercial businesses are not allowed or only to a limited extent. Enterprises with the emission of noise, smoke and smell can only be operated in business parks. If personnel is employed the requirements of the workplace regulations have to be observed. This regulation regulates for example the minimum size of rooms, number of windows, toilets, social rooms etc. The working areas of food stores and restaurants have to be in accordance with the effective hygiene regulations. This sounds quite self-evident. However, violations of these requirements cause regular conflicts between companies and the trade inspection. Caution: those blindly starting to convert a flat into suitable business premises or into factory space often get into legal problems. The careful advance information with the building authorities, the trade supervision department and the trade supervisory office is therefore an absolute obligation only those holding a written advance notice can start setting up their business without stress with the authorities. 2 Business concept 2.1 External success factors Even the best business ideas need a suitable environment in order to thrive. An important factor is the overall economic activity. Phases with a declining domestic demand and weak economic growth are not a good basis to start a business. Equally important is an extensive analysis of the branch in which the business shall be set up. Due to the tough displacement competition and fast changing trends in the consumer behaviour especially new businesses in the restaurant and retail sector often have launching difficulties. In this connection many young entrepreneurs ignore the importance of the question which target group they want to attract. This belongs to the fascinating field of sales psychology and leads to further questions like age, lifestyle, purchase power and mobility of the potential customers, which have to be determined as exactly as possible, as this allows important conclusions concerning choice of location, marketing, assortment of goods and need for investment. Everyone setting up in business should know as much as possible about these external factors. Sources of information abound: banks, internet, Chambers of Industry and Commerce, statistical state offices, county office district authorities, trade associations, public opinion research institutes, special literature and trade papers supply all necessary data. Trusts usually base their investment decisions on reliable statistics while the proprietors of small enterprises decide upon instinct both ways can lead to success but the first one is without doubt the better one. 2.2 The final check Upon completion of all advance considerations it s down to business for the person setting up in business. Now he is forced to put his objectives in a concrete form and has to coordinate his plans. This is the prerequisite for successful consultations with banks, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and management consultants. Many persons setting up in business shy away from these consultations and have doubts about their business idea only to pay dearly later. The clever ones, on the other hand, make use of those consultations. This forces the entrepreneur to substantiate his targets and plans and to give them a logical concept. Once the person setting up in business has developed a successful strategy and received the agreement of a professional consultant he has passed his first exam as entrepreneur.
19 19 A business concept should be structured as follows (examples can be found on the webpage of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in the internet): Table of content Personal qualifications, professional career Main emphasis of your future business Market potential Competition situation Description of your preparations up to now Legal structure, location and presumed number of employees Expected start-up phase and development of the business in the first three years Cost budget, sales revenue planning comprising of turnover and profit and loss forecast, liquidity plan, incoming and outgoing payments plan. 2.3 Profit planning and budgeting For everyone setting up in business the goal is to achieve at least sufficient earnings to guarantee the cost of living of the businessperson. To achieve this, the following possibilities exist: One partner remains in a permanent employment relationship which pays for the cost of living of the family. In case the new business is achieving only small profits this does not challenge the existence of the entrepreneur. The person setting up in business has to finance his cost of living from the profits of the business from the beginning. With the agreement of the employer the person setting up in business can establish his business while remaining in employment and thus test his market chances. As varied as the starting conditions might be, in the long run every business has to yield a profit as otherwise the self-employment does not make sense. Without an adequate remuneration for the productivity of labour of the businessperson and the risks he is taking, self-employment would be considered an expensive hobby. The business profit results from the year-end accounts. In order to evaluate this profit not only the profit and loss account has to be looked upon but also the so-called imputed costs: The owner s salary (the salary the businessperson would receive as employed head of the business) which has to cover at least his cost of living. An appropriate rate of interest of the equity capital. In the long term however, a business only offers a secure basis of one s living when the profits achieved are sufficient for the following targets: Means for the maintenance of asset values of the business. Financing of a reasonable corporate growth Formation of sufficient reserves to cover risks in the course of the business activity.
20 Calculation examples Securing the cost of living An employee should think twice when considering self-employment and consider the following: In Euros paid wages in the industry in West Germany included: compensation for paid holidays: special payments: 6.90 as direct labour costs (gross income). In addition labour costs amounting to incurred. This portion resulted from: employer s share to the social insurance scheme: company pension scheme: 7.60 other labour costs: 4.40 These benefits which have been paid by the employer up to now will now have to be paid by the self-employed. Even if only statutory social benefits are considered, one can see significant differences in the income necessary to cover the cost of living in order to achieve a comparable standard of living Return on net worth If the entrepreneur invests his capital resources in the business it should at least bear adequate interest. Otherwise it would be a bad investment and he should have chosen a better alternative to invest his money. The profit therefore should cover at least the interest rate of long term savings deposits like mortgage bonds. Due to the fact that using those capital resources in your own business is encumbered with higher risks than for example the investment in mortgage bonds the equity capital should bear even more interest. Referring to the month the return on net worth can be calculated as follows: Return on net worth = equity capital used x 100 earnings 2.5 Costs and expenses Not all costs arising in a business are expenses. An example are write-offs (depreciation for wear and tear (AfA = Absetzung für Abnutzung)). They are not considered expenses until a new acquisition has to be purchased a couple of years later. Therefore temporarily one can do without covering these costs. However, the businessperson has to make sure that the necessary funds will be available at the time of the new acquisition. Repayments for credits are also considered to be expenses but not costs. As far as the repayment of investment credits is concerned the instalments are paid by amounts released by depreciation. In the case of trade credits these can be redeemed from accumulating profits or debt refunding in the form of current account credits and/or supplier credits. Furthermore one differentiates between fixed costs and variable costs. Fixed costs are for example the rent for the business premises, insurance contributions, loan interest etc. These costs also incur when no or only a small turnover is achieved. Furthermore variable costs like
21 21 spending on materials or goods arise. Profits can only be achieved when these costs are under control. This calls for a corresponding planning and control. Fixed costs like rent can be calculated quite easily. The same applies to personnel expenses. However, other costs like office material have to be estimated. For this estimation the results from interfactory comparative studies and/or official cost structure statistics and internal statistics of certain industrial associations using the business data of a number of companies of a sector of the economy or a branch can help you. The results from interfactory comparative studies not only help to put your cost estimation on a realistic basis but also enable you to compare them with your own planning data and therefore test whether they correspond with the average of the branch. If certain costs are significantly above average this is an alarm signal and possibly an indication for ineffective operation procedures. The results from interfactory comparative studies of the wholesale and retail trade as well as the hotel and restaurant industry can be checked at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. However, it has to be considered that these are average values. The costs for smaller and new established companies might be considerably below or above these average values regional variations are not considered the number of participants of the different interfactory comparative studies can vary considerably. Therefore the results are not always representative some important data (like information concerning rent) are characterized by old contracts and their meaningfulness is therefore limited for new businesses Therefore the results from interfactory comparative studies can only serve as clues for your own planning but cannot give reliable standards. 2.6 Turnover There is no profit without sufficient turnover. A number of founders are intoxicated by their ingenious business idea but neglect this basic economic rule. In order to avoid such blind flights the entrepreneur should first of all calculate the minimum profit required to cover his cost of living. The second step is the addition of costs to be expected. The comparison of minimum profit and expenses shows the turnover required. In this connection a second basic rule needs to be observed: High costs and an extravagant lifestyle increase the necessity to cut a good deal right away. Therefore persons setting up in business should not make the purchase of a 100,000 Euros limousine or a villa one of their short-term goals. One of the most difficult tasks of those setting up in business is to develop a realistic sales forecast. Those remaining below the targeted business volume for a long period of time usually have no chance of survival. One possibility would be the estimation of the expected turnover on basis of the already mentioned interfactory comparative studies. The interfactory comparative studies for the retail industry for example give a rough idea of the turnover required to achieve an annual profit of X Euros. Another good orientation help is the comparative data of the fiscal administration. Based on these standard rates the tax authorities estimate the profit when no proper bookkeeping is available. The collection of comparative data contains information regarding the gross profits and net profits in percentage of the turnover for a big number of handicraft and trade branches as well as for the haulage sector and restaurant industry.
22 22 An example: Max Muster plans to open a stationery shop. Before setting up his business he calculates that the profit per month has to amount to at least 2,500 Euros to secure his cost of living. To find out which turnover he has to achieve he refers to the comparative data for tradesmen. From the statistics of the regional finance office he learns that the majority of the surveyed businesses achieve 10 % of the economic turnover as net profit. For Max that means that he has to achieve a turnover of approx. 25,000 Euros per month and 300,000 Euros per year if he wants to survive economically. It has to be considered however that examples based on average numbers do not consider the special circumstances of each individual case. If Max Muster opened his shop on Maximilianstraße in Munich, an average value would be of no help as he would need an extraordinary income to cover the high rent. A more accurate calculation of the necessary turnover can be done by adding up the minimum profit and the costs expected. For a service rendering business this sum has to be covered by the income and for a trade business by the difference between purchase price and sales price (gross profit). You can gather the average gross profit for your area from the interfactory comparative studies or the collection of comparative data. Once the person setting up in business got a general idea regarding the turnover required, the last and decisive step follows: Max Muster and all the other would-be entrepreneurs have to find out how much turnover can be achieved effectively. The determination of the achievable turnover is done by an analysis of the proposed location (trade) or by results of a market research (production) i.e. by the determination of the market potential and analysis of competitors. The capacity of the newly founded business should not be left out. In the retail trade only a certain maximum profit is possible on a certain sales floor. When taking over a corner shop one can t expect a turnover amounting to millions of Euros. The same applies to the productivity of labour. An employee has a capacity limit limiting the achievable turnover. It is the task of the foundation planning to bring the expectations regarding turnover and capacities available into line. In the long run excess capacities threaten even major enterprises. For people setting up in business they prove to be their undoing. Considering the usually high expenses for rent and personnel in this country, it might be safer to opt for the smaller dimension to achieve profits. Once the business is booming it can usually be expanded without trouble. 2.7 How to guarantee permanent success? A business has the best starting chances if the attainable turnover exceeds the necessary turnover as this allows for a financial leeway to fulfil the three requirements for a perpetual market success of a company: reserve funds, an appropriate return on net worth and growth. The decisive factor is the amount of the after-tax-profit. Reserve funds: For everyone setting up in business it is important to have reserve funds to master unexpected crises. Examples are temporary but painful slumps in sales due to road works or the sudden loss of a planned major order. Maintenance of assets: The profit achieved has to be invested in the maintenance of assets. Here the following problem has to be solved: tax write-offs (AfA) are only permitted from the purchase price of a fixed asset. Like the prices for the majority of consumer goods the prices of machines and equipment increase as well. In case the reserve funds for the new acquisition are saved only from the write-offs a money gap develops and money to purchase the necessary new machines and equipment is missing.
23 23 Growth: Carefully planned and adequate growth is the characteristic of every successful company. But in order to grow funds are required. Often it is neither advisable nor possible to finance the expansion of a company by credits only. 2.8 Liquidity plan The ongoing ability to pay is decisive for the viability of a business. Therefore a liquidity plan is an essential part of the business strategy. It serves as an important control function to avoid erroneous trends within the company but is also useful for credit negotiations with banks. The liquidity of a business is guaranteed when the expenses are covered by sufficient income, liquidity reserves from former months and/or a corresponding credit limit. Planning the liquid resources is a constant task. In case it is neglected even conglomerates can fail as many examples from the world economy show. The critical phase in the life of a business is usually the third year after setting up the business. In this especially critical phase thousands of businesses get trapped in a liquidity trap and a bankruptcy usually can t be avoided. The reasons can be found in the following factors: The first business year is concluded with a minor loss. In the second year the balance for the first year is completed. Due to the loss no or only minor prepayments of taxes for the second year are made. In the third year the balance for the second year, which ended with a profit, is set up. Therefore subsequent payments of trade and income tax arise. At the same time the advance payments are brought into line. Furthermore redemption payments for the public loans commence. The threat of a liquidity crisis in the third year therefore is the concurrence of redemption payments, subsequent payments of income and trade tax and advance payments of income and trade tax. There are only two ways to overcome this barrier: the timely creation of liquidity reserves or the corresponding increase of the credit limit. Again the liquidity plan serves as an indispensable basis: it is important to provide separate columns for target-performance values. This facilitates the ongoing control of the financial state of the business. 3 Corporations and legislation 3.1 A jungle of responsibilities and regulations The foundation of a company is touching many fields of law. Due to insufficient preparation the problems occasionally start as soon as the general terms and conditions are set up. To be added are tenancy law, tax law, trade law, labour law, reporting requirements for the layout of the company homepage, patent law etc. Even experienced entrepreneurs can lose track of things in this jungle of responsibilities and regulations. Persons setting up in business therefore should check beforehand the fields of law affecting them and to close possible existing gaps of knowledge. 3.2 Tax law Turnover tax Umsatzsteuer In principle all goods, deliveries and services are liable to turnover tax (exceptions see 4 UstG (Turnover Tax Act)). Currently the turnover tax amounts to 19 % of the invoice amount.
24 24 A reduced rate of taxation of currently 7 % applies to nearly all articles of food as well as for books, brochures, art objects and some other goods. For deliveries and services to the consumer the tax has to be included in the invoice amount. If the invoice amounts to more than 150 Euros the recipient can ask to have the tax identified. As a person carrying on a trade or business you can deduct value-added tax charged to you by other companies as so-called input tax of your own turnover tax debt. An example: In June Martin Müller achieved a gross turnover of 4,760 Euros with his retail business. He invoiced his customers 19 % value-added tax amounting to 760 Euros. His suppliers identified in their invoices value-added tax amounting to 290 Euros. Therefore he has to pay to the tax office: 760 Euros minus 290 Euros = 470 Euros. A turnover-tax advance return has to be submitted electronically to the tax office before the 10 th day of the following calendar month. Only in exceptional cases can it still be submitted on paper. For businesses whose turnover tax liability amounted to less than 7,500 Euros in the previous year a tax advance return before the 10 th day of the new quarter is sufficient. You have to calculate your turnover tax (advance payment) for the past payment period (month or quarter) which has to be paid to the tax office within the period of time mentioned above. The payment period for remittances is three days decisive is the date of receipt at the tax office. In the year following the foundation and in the calendar year thereafter persons setting up in business have to submit their advance value-added tax return on a monthly basis. For the calculation of the turnover tax, the following has to be recorded by the person setting up his own business: All remunerations received for products and other services separated according to the rate of taxation as well as according to taxable and tax-free turnover. All payments for deliveries received, products and other services as well as the input tax included therein. Only so-called small-scale entrepreneurs can decide at the start of their activities whether they want to charge VAT or not. The boundaries are defined by a turnover below 17,500 Euros in the previous year and up to 50,000 Euros in the current year. In the tax assessment a small-scale entrepreneur is treated like an individual. As he is not paying turnover tax he cannot charge value-added tax in his invoices and any value-added tax he had to pay himself (i.e. to a seller for the goods received) cannot be refunded as input tax by the tax office. Note: In the Value Added Tax Act more and more special provisions have to be taken into consideration especially for construction works, in the scrap trade, commercial cleaning, when dealing with second-hand goods, in tourism and for cross-border supplies or services Income tax and corporation income tax Einkommen- und Körperschaftsteuer Here the following rule applies: individuals ( natürliche Personen ) pay income tax while legal entities ( juristische Personen ) pay corporation income tax. The term individual ( natürliche Person ) stands for the owner of the business who is liable for his business with his name and his personal assets. The profit achieved according to the annual balance sheet together with further possible income from capital assets etc. has to be stated in the income tax return. The profit results from the sum of all income minus all operating costs. Not deductible is the cost of living (e.g. apartment, clothing, meals, ski vacations etc.). The higher the profit, the higher the rate of taxation above a basic exemption of 8,004 ranging from 14 to the maximum taxation rate of 45 per cent.
25 25 Earnings from legal entities like private limited companies are liable to corporation income tax. The determination of profits is done within the scope of double entry bookkeeping (balance and profit and loss account) according to the regulations regarding income tax for operating revenues and operating costs. The taxation rate amounts to 15 per cent for retained profits. Since 2009 it is differentiated on the shareholder level whether the shares in the capital company are held in the private assets of an investor (individual) or in the business assets of sole traders or partnerships. Since 2009 accrued dividends of individuals are subject to a flat rate tax (Abgeltungssteuer) amounting to a tax rate of 25 per cent (+SolZ). In case the personal income tax rate is below 25 per cent a lower personal tax rate can be assessed upon request. For dividends from shares held in business assets 40 per cent will be exempt from tax by the partial income procedure (Teileinkünfteverfahren) as of 2009 while 60 per cent of the dividend will be taxed according to the personal income tax rate of the shareholder Trade tax Gewerbesteuer Here the annually achieved earnings are taxed. For this so-called trading profit a tax-free allowance of 24,500 Euros applies for sole traders and business partnerships. Trade tax only has to be paid above this amount. This tax free allowance does not apply to corporations (e.g. a private limited company). Trade tax also has to be paid in advance payments every quarter. The amount depends on the municipal rate fixed by every municipality for its area Duty to keep records and accounts Every businessperson is obliged to keep at least the following records: He has to keep a so-called cash journal, the daily recording of cash receipts and cash disbursements Recordings regarding goods received and outgoing goods. The duty of double entry bookkeeping applies: to businesses with an expected annual turnover of more than 500,000 Euros in the calendar year to businesses with a profit of more than 50,000 Euros in the fiscal year or if the owner is registered in the commercial register or otherwise required to keep books and records. Possible facilitations exist for registered merchants. Please ask your tax consultant for details. The easiest form of double entry bookkeeping is the columnar bookkeeping. Every business transaction is entered into account and contra account. The accounts are listed next to each other in tabular form (general ledger). You will find journals with a variable number of columns at specialized retailers. Despite all the progress in mechanical and electronic bookkeeping columnar bookkeeping is still the best solution for small businesses. Freelancers as well as businesses not registered in the commercial register or not required to keep accounts have the opportunity to determine their profit according to 4 (3) Income Tax Law via a calculation of excess of receipts over expenditure. The tax authorities developed an official form (see page plus instruction to the form page 66-69) that has to be used for the profit determination starting with the fiscal year However, in case the
26 26 operating receipts do not exceed 17,500 Euros an informal determination of profits is still possible. Special legal obligations to keep books and records apply to trades subject to supervision. In Bavaria this also applies to the trade in second-hand goods. Information can be obtained from the responsible authority and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. 3.3 Trade Law How to apply for the registration of a trade According to trade law every person setting up in business is obliged to report his business activity. For independent activities in the itinerant trade an itinerant trade licence is required (see page 15, section 1.3, 1.4). The decisive passage can be found in 14 (1) trade law which reads as follows: Those commencing the independent business of a trade or the operation of a branch or a dependent branch have to report this to the authority responsible at the place in question simultaneously. The same applies, if 1. the business is moved within the local authority 2. the object of the enterprise is changed or if the business is extended to goods or services which are not customary for the business registered or 3. the business is given up. The application for registration has to be done on form GewA1 (see page 29/30) and has to be submitted to the local authority of the commercial place of business. The application has to be made at the latest at the time of commencement of the business. A retrospective application, re-registration or notice of cancellation fulfils the statutory definition of a regulatory offence Who has to apply? The obligation to inform the authorities is the responsibility of the applicant. For the sole proprietorship the owner, for a private limited company (GmbH) the GmbH represented by the authorized representative(s). For a civil-law partnership (GbR), general commercial partnership (ohg), limited commercial partnership (KG): the managing partner(s). This means that concerning a civil-law partnership or a general commercial partnership every partner has to apply for registration of a business or trade. Any additional partner of a business has to apply for registration as well Personal application For the registration of a business it is sufficient to send the filled out form by post to the appropriate local authority. However, it is recommended that the application for the registration of a business or trade is made in person at the local authority to avoid possible queries. You will need to present a valid identity card (Personalausweis) or passport (Reisepaß).
27 Application by an authorized person If an authorized person is applying for the registration of a business or trade he will need to prove the authorization in writing Application for a private limited company not yet registered in the commercial register GmbH in Gründung In the case of an application for an already founded private limited company which has not yet been registered in the commercial register a copy of the notarially certified articles of partnership as well as an authorization of the founders is required stating that the company in question shall apply for registration of a business or trade before its entry in the commercial register. In this case the founders are businessmen until the entry in the commercial register because the private limited company is created only by entry in the commercial register Application of a branch/an agency A branch as well as a dependent agency also has to be registered (e.g. a distributing warehouse with personal callers) Installation of vending machines Those operating the installation of machines (goods, services and entertainment machines of any kind) as an independent trade or business have to apply for registration with the responsible authority of their headquarters. The businessperson is obliged to put a label stating his family name with a least one fully stated first name, his summonable address as well the address of his headquarters visibly on the machine. Businesspersons for whom a company has to be registered in the commercial register also have to mention their company. In case the company name includes the name of the businessperson with one fully stated first name the company name is sufficient. For the installation of slot machines with a winning opportunity a licence from the responsible administrative authority of the district ( 33 c GewO) is required Trading licence Gewerbeschein According to 15 (1) trade law the application for the registration of the business or trade will be confirmed by the local authority within three days. The self-employed person receives the trading licence. Please pay attention to possible remarks on the reverse side of the confirmation. The local authorities forward copies of the application for registration of a business or trade to the following authorities: Statistical Office of Bavaria Tax office Trade supervisory office Chamber of Industry and Commerce Chamber of Handicrafts Office of weights and measures Employment office Customs authority
28 28 Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.v. (German statutory accident insurance) who will forward it to the responsible employers liability insurance association The passing on is restricted to the information permissible according to the Data Protection Act To de-register or re-register a trade The change of the business activity is done on form GewA2. Furthermore the businessperson has to notify the relevant social insurance for occupational accidents. The de-registration has to be done on form GewA3. (example for re-registration see page 31) (example for de-registration see page 32)
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33 Application for registration with the tax office Prospective businesses applying for registration of their business or trade with the local authority fulfil at the same time their obligation to notify the tax office according to 138 (1) Abgabenordnung (fiscal code). Usually the person setting up in business will receive a corresponding letter of the tax office. However, if you do not receive any information from the tax office following the registration of your business or trade (within about three months) you should inform the tax office concerning the start of your business. The letter could read as follows: An das Finanzamt Deroystraße München Date Erfassung meines Gewerbebetriebes Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich habe am beim Kreisverwaltungsreferat der Stadt München mein Gewerbe angezeigt. Bis heute hab ich noch keinen Fragebogen zur steuerlichen Erfassung, deshalb bitte ich Sie unmittelbar, mir diesen zuzuleiten. Mit freundlichen Grüßen An das Finanzamt Deroystraße München Date Assessment of my business Dear Sir or Madam, On November 3, 2010 I applied for the registration of my business with the district administrative authority of Munich. As I have not received a questionnaire concerning the fiscal assessment so far, I would like to ask you to send this to me. Yours sincerely, Those starting a freelance activity have to inform the tax authority within one month after taking up the activity. As soon as the tax office learns about the start of the business activity it will send the applicant the following forms: Form concerning the registration of a commercial business, an independent (freelance) or agricultural or forestry activity (form see page 35-36) - Questionnaire for fiscal assessment (form see page 37-41) - Instructions how to fill out the questionnaire for fiscal assessment (example see page ) - Participation declaration for direct debiting (with references) (form see page 46 - Enclosure to the questionnaire for fiscal assessment: supplementary information for photovoltaic companies (example see page 47) 33
34 34 Foundation of a partnership (form see page 35-36) - Questionnaire for fiscal assessment (form see page Questionnaire for fiscal assessment Supplementary sheet for joint ventures (see page 56) - Instructions how to fill out the questionnaire for fiscal assessment (see page Participation declaration for direct debiting (with references) (form see page 46) - Enclosure to the questionnaire for fiscal assessment: supplementary information for photovoltaic companies (example see page 47) These forms state the most important tax obligations of the businessperson such as the duty to keep books, records and accounts, recording incoming goods, payment of turnover tax and wage tax.
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70 Tax number Within the time stipulated the businessperson has to send the completed questionnaire back to the tax office. The questionnaire informs the tax office that the applicant intends or has already started the business or trade. The tax office issues a tax number which is forwarded to the businessperson with a standard letter reading as follows:... the tax office assigned you the tax number 222/ This applies for the following taxes: - corporation income tax - turnover tax - assessment of the uniform trade tax assessment - determination of the taxable value of the business assets - separate determination of the equity capital - separate determination of equities (Anteilswert) Please state your tax number on all applications to the tax office.... This tax number usually applies for all taxes: - income tax - turnover tax - trade tax and - wage tax of the employees. Exceptions are possible if for example a couple operates a business each but will be assessed jointly for income tax. 3.4 Corporation law Choice of the legal form The choice of the right legal form is decisive for the continuity of a business. Growth and increased risks of liability often require a change of the legal form in the course of time. It is therefore recommended to check regularly whether the current legal form is still in line with the development of the business. In case a change is necessary the law regulating the transformation of companies provides suitable instruments. A special focus lies on a change of the legal form while the identity of the entrepreneur is preserved. In every case it is necessary to get advice regarding the formal course of events and possible tax consequences when a corporate transformation is planned. Trade and corporation law dictate the legal forms available. These basic structures however can be changed and adapted according to the individual requirements of the business Entry in the commercial register: Advantages and disadvantages The entry in the commercial register offers advantages and disadvantages to the person setting up in business. With entry in the commercial register the businessperson can grant Prokura (power of attorney) to employees and acquires the right to carry a company-name (without having to appear under his own name). Prerequisite for the admissibility of a company name is that it is characteristic and distinctive and does not contain any misleading titles. A small real estate agent with only local significance cannot be called Deutsche Immobilien GmbH. Furthermore you should check comprehensively whether the desired name already exists in the same or a related branch as this could lead to disputes considering the right of name. If
71 71 for cost saving reasons this is done without the help of a professional research institute you should at least check the internet (e.g. or different search machines whether the desired name already exists. Whether the relevant name is trademarked can be checked with the German Patent Office ( Similar spellings should also be checked as similar names can lead to injunctive relief due to a possible confusion. As a general rule businesses entered in the commercial register are obliged to keep doubleentry book-keeping and to draw up a balance sheet. However, since BilMoG (Accounting Law Modernization Act) registered traders achieving less than 500,000 Euros turnover and an annual net income of 50,000 Euros in two consecutive years have an option in this regard. The businessperson registered in the commercial register is subject to the stricter legal requirements of the German Commercial Code. They have to examine goods delivered immediately regarding possible faults and have to inform the supplier accordingly as they might otherwise lose warranty claims. Caution is also necessary with suretyships as they can be entered into by verbal agreement Small trades and commercial enterprises A distinctive feature of the German corporation law is the differentiation between a small trade and a commercial enterprise. This however, concerns only partnerships but not legal entities. Commercial enterprises have to be registered in the commercial register. For their transactions the regulations of the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch - HGB) apply. Non-commercial enterprises (small trades) can be registered voluntarily in the commercial register and thus acquire merchant status according to the German Commercial Code. Otherwise their transactions are subordinated to the German Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)) and not the Commercial Code. The question whether a business qualifies as commercial depends on the fact whether the business requires a commercial enterprise in extent and manner ( 1 HGB). The amount of turnover, the number of employees and the amount of the working capital, the volume of credit and the number of branches/subsidiaries are determining criteria for a business operation to be established as a commercial one. A turnover of more than 400,000 Euros usually means that the business is no longer considered a small trade. A non-commercial business can be operated by an individual (small trader) or a civil-lawpartnership (BGB-Gesellschaft or GbR). Commercial partnerships are sole traders (e.kfm. = eingetragener Kaufmann resp. e.kfr. = eingetragene Kauffrau), general commercial partnerships (offene Handelsgesellschaft = ohg), limited commercial partnerships (Kommanditgesellschaft = KG) or limited partnerships, the general partner being a private limited company (beschränkt haftendene Personengesellschaft = GmbH & Co. KG). For registration in the commercial register notarization is required.
72 Partnerships (Personenunternehmen) Small trades (Kleingewerbe) Individual (small-scale trader) (Kleingewerbetreibender) The easiest form of setting up business is the registration of a business. The registration is done solely on the first and last name of the entrepreneur. The trade supervision department will check whether a licence is necessary for the trade in question. Those reporting for registration of a business or trade not at all, incorrectly, incompletely or not in time act contrary to regulations. A fine or administrative measures of compulsion can be imposed. The trade register is not a public register and therefore inspection by individuals is not possible. However, upon request the trade supervision department will provide information concerning the name, the address and the activity of the business. With regard to the reporting requirement for service providers (DL-Info-VO Dienstleistungsinformationspflichtenverodnung) the first name and surname and the address have to be stated. On invoices this is mandatory anyway. Likewise on advertisements when certain products are advertised with price quotations; except advertisement to attract attention. The small-scale trader is liable with his total business and personal assets. The risk can be reduced by the conclusion of corresponding insurances. Small traders can register voluntarily in the commercial register Civil-law partnership (BGB-Gesellschaft GbR) A civil-law partnership consists of at least two partners. The legal basis can be found in the Civil Code (Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB)). There the following is stated: In the articles of partnership the partners commit themselves to promote the achievement of a common purpose outlined in the contract. This includes the payment of the contributions agreed upon. The common purpose can be every allowed activity. A civil-law partnership can also pursue a non-commercial purpose. To establish the partnership a written contract is not required; a verbal agreement is sufficient. However, it is strongly recommended to put the essential points of the association in writing. This clarifies in case there will be uncertainties or differences of opinion at a later point in time. For a commercial civil-law partnership the registration of all partners is required. Considering the reporting requirement for service providers the first name and the family name of all partners as well as the add-on GbR or civil-law partnership have to be stated. By the way, the names of the partners and the address is compulsory on invoices and in advertisements when certain products are advertised with price quotations (exception: advertisements to attract attention).
73 73 Every partner is liable with his business and personal assets. Creditors can assert claims against the association, the partners and both at the same time by court action. According to the latest court decision of the Federal Supreme Court of Justice (BGH) not all partners of a GbR have to be sued any more to enforce into the company assets afterwards. A judgement against the partnership itself is sufficient. However, to enforce into the personal assets of a partner a judgement against the partner is still necessary. Models of limitation of liability are conceivable but should not be chosen without a sound legal consultation. An unilateral exclusion of liability rendered on standard forms by the partnership by adding e.g. GbRmbH is not possible. An individual agreement of the parties in the context of a contract is required. According to corporations law there is a distinction between management and representation. Management stands for the internal management i.e. supervision of production, bookkeeping, business letters etc. while representation stands for acting externally, e.g. entering into obligations. According to the law for civil-law partnerships all partners are entitled jointly to the management function which allows for a certain control. The representation depends on the power of management. The principle of collective representation by all partners applies. In the partnership agreement a different solution can be agreed upon. Depending on the articles of partnership and thus the contractual provisions the notice of termination or withdrawal of a partner results in the dissolution of the partnership or a continuation with the remaining partners Commercial forms of enterprise Sole trader (Einzelkaufmann/Einzelkauffrau (e.kfm./kfr.) In addition to the registration of a business or trade commercial enterprises have to be registered in the commercial register. Small-scale traders can register voluntarily in the commercial register and thus become merchants according to the commercial code. The liability of a sole trader is unrestricted. For commercial operations the commercial code applies. The business of a sole trader has to be registered in the commercial register. In the name of the company he can acquire rights and enter into obligations, take legal proceedings against third parties or get sued. The name of the owner does not have to be included in the company name. The sole trader is obliged to commercial bookkeeping and to the preparation of a balance sheet General commercial partnership (offene Handelsgesellschaft ohg) The legal basis of the general partnership (ohg) is the German Commercial Code. There the following is stated: A partnership whose purpose is the operation of a commercial enterprise is a general partnership if the liability of all partners towards the creditors of the company is unrestricted. Further characteristics are the use of a joint company name and the unlimited liability of all partners. Instead of a commercial activity the management of ones own assets is also sufficient.
74 74 When a business that has been operated as a civil-law partnership becomes a commercial enterprise it has to be registered in the commercial register in addition to the registration as a business or trade and thus becomes a general partnership. The registration in the commercial register has to be notarized. The legal relationship of the partners is laid down in the partnership agreement. The legal provisions only apply when not stipulated differently in the partnership agreement. The partnership agreement does not necessarily require written form. However, due to its significance it should be laid down in writing. For setting up the contract it is useful to get advice from a lawyer or notary. Usually the partners earn their living through their personal activity in the business. Therefore, apart from the profit distribution the permissibility and the prerequisites of regular withdrawals should be regulated. In a general commercial partnership every partner is entitled to conduct the business. This right cannot be withdrawn easily. This question is so important that in case of an important reason the other partners have to sue for revocation of the power to conduct the business (however, the partnership agreement can state differently). To conclude transactions out of the ordinary a unanimous resolution is required but the partnership agreement can also allow for majority vote. To the outside the partnership appears as a closed unit and carries an independent company name. The general commercial partnership can inherit rights and enter into obligations, acquire ownership and real rights in land, sue and get sued as a company. The partnership is represented by its partners and according to law every partner has the sole power of representation. However, the partners can adapt the representation rules according to their individual needs. Customary are internal restrictions of the power of representation in such a way that consultations are necessary for important decisions. This condition however has no external effects. An offence can only justify a liability of damages internally. A creditor can hold the company and its assets as well as the partners with their private assets liable for his entire claim. A possible compensation has to be settled internally. For partners of a general partnership a non-competition clause is established by law. Without the consent of the other partners a partner can neither conduct businesses in the branch of the partnership nor be involved as personally liable partner in a similar company. A partner withdrawing from the company is liable for up to five years for obligations existing at the time of his withdrawing from the company. The withdrawal should be settled in the partnership agreement in detail. Withdrawal notices, settlement sum and successor rules should be defined in the partnership agreement Limited commercial partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft (KG)) The limited commercial partnership differs from the general commercial partnership primarily by the fact that the liability of one or several partners is limited to an exactly numeralised amount registered in the commercial register. This is called a limited partners holding (Kommanditeinlage). The personally and wholly liable partners are known as general partners ( Komplementäre ), the partners with limited liability as limited partners ( Kommanditisten ).
75 75 The varied risks of the partners affect the corporate structure. The position of the personally liable partners is considerably stronger than that of the limited partners. The latter are excluded from management/representation and are not subject to a non-competition clause Limited partnership, the general partner being a private limited company (GmbH & Co. KG) This legal form constitutes a special form of the limited partnership. The general partner is a private limited company which leads indirectly to a restricted liability. This has to be shown in the name, usually by adding GmbH & Co. KG. The management consists of the general partners (i.e. the managing directors). This means the decision-making within the GmbH & Co. KG is controlled by the GmbH. The GmbH & Co. KG is often used when a number of limited partners contribute money and nobody wants to take over the position of a personally and wholly liable partner due to the high financial volume Legal entities Private limited company (Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH)) / business company with limited liability (haftungsbeschränkte Unternehmergesellschaft) The main reason for choosing the legal form of a private limited company results from its description with limited liability. It offers the legal possibility to restrict the liability against creditors to the company assets. The foundation of a private limited company is a lot more extensive than the aforementioned legal forms. The foundation requires a notarially certified memorandum of association corresponding to the legal minimum requirements. The private limited company as legal entity and carrier of rights and obligations begins with registration in the commercial register. To be capable of acting, a managing director representing the company has to be appointed at the foundation of the company. The managing director is registered in the commercial register. The private limited company operates a business and therefore carries a company name. It is an independent carrier of rights and obligations. An individual can also found a private limited company. The trade is registered in the name of the company. The minimum nominal capital of a private limited company amounts to 25,000 Euros. In case the nominal capital shall be below 25,000 Euros the formation of a business company (Unternehmergesellschaft) (with limited liability) is possible. This is not an independent legal form but a special form of a private limited company. The nominal capital of a business company (with limited liability) can amount to between 1 Euro and 24,999 Euros. The formation of a business company (with limited liability) can only be effected by means of a cash subscription. The add-on UG (business company with limited liability) to the legal form indicates the reduced nominal capital. Pursuant to the legislature the intention of a business company should be to save up to a nominal capital of 25,000 Euros by accumulating a reserve fund by depositing ¼ of the profit. When the reserve fund amounts to more than 25,000 Euros a capital increase in notarial form can be effected. In line with this capital increase the add-on to the legal form can be changed to limited company (GmbH). For commercial transactions concluded before the registration of the company in the commercial register the partners as well as the persons acting can be held responsible. Only with the registration of the company they are no longer liable.
76 76 For the private limited company and therefore also for the business company (with limited liability) it is mandatory to prepare a balance sheet which has to be entered with the operator of the electronic Federal Gazette according to 325 HGB. For smaller capital companies (those not exceeding at least 2 or 3 of the following features) - balance sheet total of 4,840,000 Euros - turnover of 9,680,000 Euros - 50 employees as an annual average an alleviation exists. They only need to provide the balance sheet and the notes to the financial statement. The notes do not need to enclose information concerning profit and loss Joint-stock company (Aktiengesellschaft (AG)) A joint-stock company can be founded by one or several persons. Like the private limited company it is an incorporated enterprise and has a capital stock divided into shares. The foundation process is subject to strict formal requirements. The articles of association require notarisation and cannot be developed free in form and content. The stock corporation law is mandatory to a large degree. The legal minimum capital of a joint-stock company amounts to 50,000 Euros. Apart from shares with a nominal amount no-par shares (Stückaktien) are permissible. The share capital has to be divided uniformly between these two forms. In the case of nominal shares they have to amount to at least 1 Euro. The rights resulting from stockholding can be structured variably. The partners of a jointstock company are called shareholders, the organs of a joint-stock company are the general meeting of shareholders, the management board and the supervisory board comprised of at least three persons. The general meeting of shareholders is the meeting of the shareholders exercising their participation in the management. The general meeting of shareholders does not have a general sphere of competence and its rights are regulated in detail in the Stock Corporations Act. The management board is responsible for running the company. It is not committed to the instructions of the supervisory board or the general meeting of shareholders. The supervisory board has the function to name the members of the board, to advise them and to monitor them. The supervisory board has an unlimited right of information and inspection of all business records. Under the key word Kleine AG (small joint-stock company) several simplifications took effect in The Kleine AG is not a new type of joint-stock company. Instead, companies with a certain size and a manageable circle of partners are offered simplifications comparable to that of a GmbH. Thus, especially small and medium sized businesses now have easier access to a joint-stock company and therefore to a direct equity increase. The advantages of the Kleine AG are for example a simplified general meeting of shareholders, an extended flexibility considering the application of funds especially
77 77 regarding distribution of dividends as well as the exemption of co-determination for jointstock companies with less than 500 employees Co-operative (Genossenschaft) A co-operative does not have a fixed registered capital. It is characterized by a varying number of members. The purpose of co-operatives is the promotion of the income or the economy of its members or their social or cultural interests. At least three founding members are necessary. The co-operative is represented by the executive board and its activities are subject to the surveillance by cooperative auditing associations. For obligations of the cooperative only the assets of the co-operative are liable. Prerequisite of the foundation is a written contract (articles of incorporation). The registration courts have a public register of cooperatives in which these organisations have to be registered Association (Verein) As a matter of principle the legal form of an association is not available for commercial/economic purposes. The conferment of the capacity to acquire and hold rights and duties by entry in the Register of Associations presupposes a non-material objective of the association. Permissible however are supplementary economic activities (so-called secondary object privilege) e.g. sale of drinks Special forms Partnership (Partnerschaft) The foundation of a company under the legal form of a partnership is possible since the partnership law took effect in The partnership corresponds approximately to the general commercial partnership but can be chosen only by freelancers like doctors or lawyers. For obligations of the partnership the partners are liable personally as well as with the assets of the partnership. They can however, restrict their liability for damages due to defective exercise of a profession to those in the partnership responsible for the professional service in question (this can also be done by using general terms and conditions (AGBs)). The law of partnerships is regulated only marginally. Due to the admission for certain freelance professions to found a GmbH the interest in this legal form has decreased. Partnerships have to be entered into the partnership register at the local court Silent partnership (Stille Gesellschaft) Silent partnerships cannot be recognized as such from the outside as the silent partner does not register his trade or business. Silent partnerships are partnerships in which someone participates in the trade of another person with a capital contribution in exchange of participation of the profit. From transactions concluded with third parties only the owner but not the silent partner is entitled and obliged. The silent partner has limited control rights. As a matter of principle, he can only demand a notice in writing of the annual balance sheets and has a right of review of the accounts and documents.
78 78 The silent partner participates in the profit and losses. Contrary to the mandatory profit sharing a loss sharing can be excluded. After liquidation of the partnership the silent partner has a right to the disbursement of his assets. A debit balance does not oblige to make subsequent payments but becomes null and void. An atypical silent partnership exists if e.g. the silent partner has more control rights or when he participates in the management etc European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) - (Europäische Wirtschaftliche Interessenvereinigung (EWIV)) The EEIG is a common European legal form. It shall facilitate the trans-national cooperation and promote the domestic market. The EEIG has to have at least two members and at least two of its participants have to have their head office respectively their headquarters in different member states. The EEIG itself is not allowed to pursue economic purposes and to accumulate profits. It is restricted to promoting the commercial purposes of its members which makes this legal form often unattractive. The foundation agreement is valid informally. However, as the contract has to be deposited with the commercial register and as it has to include certain particulars according to the EEIG-regulations de facto written form is required. A further prerequisite of the foundation of an EEIG in Germany is the registration in the commercial register. The members of the EEIG are liable unlimited, jointly and severally for obligations. Contrary to the general commercial partnership the liability of the members is subsidiary. The creditors can not hold the members liable until they have requested payment from the company and this has not been effected within a reasonable period of time.
79 Legal forms in comparison Legal form Sole proprietorship Civil-law partnership (BGB Gesellschaft (GbR) General commercial partnership (ohg) Limited commercial partnership (KG) Legal norms 1ff HGB HGB HGB a HGB Number of founders 1 at least 2 at least 2 at least 1 personally liable partner 1 limited partner Equity capital Minimum capital (at foundation) Minimum capital share (at foundation) Liability assets of the assets of the capital shares of capital shares of founder partners the partners the partners none none none none none none none none unlimited with personal assets every partners is liable unlimited, directly and solidary Management entrepreneur all partners together Further decision centres Legal distribution of profits Entry in commercial register every partner is liable unlimited, directly and solidary all partners, possibly only jointly none none none none undivided to entrepreneur no yes, if merchant in numbers (as far as nothing else has been stipulated) 4 per cent on capital share. Rest in numbers (as far as nothing else has been stipulated) no yes yes liable partner unlimited with his personal assets; limited partner restricted to capital share only liable partner 4 per cent on capital share. Rest in fair relation (as far as nothing else has been stipulated)
80 80 Legal form Silent partnership (typical) Legal norms HGB Number of founders at least 1 entrepreneur and 1 silent partner Equity capital assets of entrepreneur and capital share of Minimum capital (at foundation) Minimum capital share (at foundation) Liability Management Further decision centres Legal distribution of profits Entry in commercial register silent partner none none entrepreneur unlimited, silent partner participates in loss only in the amount of his capital share only entrepreneur none in reasonable relation Private limited company (GmbH) and/or enterprise company (with limited liability) Limited liability company law (GmbH Gesetz) Stock corporation (AG) German Stock Companies Act (Aktiengesetz) at least 1 partner at least 1 shareholder paid-in capital stocks of the partners paid-in capital stocks minimum 25,000 Euros (minimum 12,500 Euros at formation by founders cash subscriptions). For enterprise company as of 1,00 Euro original capital contribution at least 1 Euro liability restricted to the assets of the company Manager company general meeting (facultative: advisory board) proportionate according to paid-in capital stock (share in the company) if nothing else has been agreed upon contractually Enterprise company: duty to accumulate reserve funds acquisition of shares by founders share capital at least 50,000 Euros (minimum payment at foundation 12,500 Euros) share nominal at least 1 Euro liability restricted to the assets of the company Registered cooperative (e.g.) Registered cooperative law (Genossenschaftsge setz) at least 3 members shares in the company of the members None share in the company according to statute liability restricted to the assets of the cooperative; liability of members to make further contributions board of directors board of directors supervisory board, shareholder s meeting dividend in proportion to number of shares no yes yes yes supervisory board, general meeting/representati ves meeting in proportion to assets of cooperative
81 Industrial law Vocational training of apprentices Qualified in-house trained personnel not only secure the long-term existence of your company but also the collective good. The Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Bavarian ministry of economics therefore support companies creating more apprenticeship training positions. Firms providing opportunities for vocational training have to fulfil the following conditions: Depending on the job requiring vocational training the business has to have minimum equipment and a reasonable number of skilled personnel have to be employed. The responsible instructor needs a completed vocational education or academic studies in a field corresponding to the vocation training in question as well as relevant professional experience. The technical qualification of an instructor includes a proof of ability of labour and vocational education skills which have to be shown by an examination. If these requirements are fulfilled the company can start with the vocational training. According to the vocational training act the Chamber of Industry and Commerce decides whether a business is suited for the vocational training of adolescents. The examination is done via a qualification determination ( Eignungsfeststellung ) for which the entrepreneur has to fill out a questionnaire. Afterwards a consultant of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce visits the company. Further information can be obtained from the department vocational training (Berufsausbildung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Engagement of personnel The creation of new jobs is one of the most responsible duties of an entrepreneur. In the ideal case the new colleagues fit in with the corporate philosophy and the existing team. This requires a more or less complex selection process. The employment contract is the formal conclusion of this hiring decision. At the start of his employment the employee has to present his wage tax card and his social security card. Foreigners also need a residence permit and a work permit. The public authority responsible for aliens (district office or district town) and the employment centre issue both papers (see 3.5.3). In principle verbal employment contracts are also valid. However, in practice there are practically no permanent employments without a written employment contract which is also recommendable for the employer for reasons of evidence. According to the ''Documentation of Employment Contracts Act'' ( Gesetz über den Nachweis der für ein Arbeitsverhältnis wesentlichen Bedingungen (Nachweisgesetz-NachwG)) the employer is obliged to inform the employee at least one month after the start of work agreed upon about the following points: Name and address of the contracting parties Start of the employment contract
82 82 For temporary employment: the predictive duration of the employment. Furthermore the regulations of the law concerning part-time employment and temporary employment contracts have to be considered. A temporary employment contract has to be concluded in writing before the commencement of the contractual relationship. Place of work or the information that the employee will be employed at different places of work. Short description or specification of the activity Amount and composition of the remuneration including bonus, extra pay, awards, supplementary grants and other components of the remuneration and their due-date Working time Annual holiday Notice periods Reference to collective agreements, employer/works council agreements applicable to the employment contract Should essential terms of the contract change, the employer has to inform the employee within one month in writing. In contracts with marginally occupied employees (geringfügig Beschäftigten) the information has to be included that the employee can acquire the position of an employee liable to insurance deductions in the statutory pension insurance if he waives the exemption from the social insurance by declaration vis-à-vis the employer. The Documentation of Employment Contracts Act is not applicable for employees employed as temporary personnel for one month at the most. The employer has to consider that in certain branches like food retailing and catering an official medical examination of the employee is required prior to the start of work. For some branches collective labour agreements are binding. That means they are also binding for each individual contract. Information can be obtained from the employer s association. (Example of an employment contract see page 83/84) (Notice periods for employment contracts; text 622 BGB see page 85).
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100 Wage tax / income tax The employer has to declare, withhold and transfer the wage tax of his employees (usually monthly) to the corresponding tax office (see page 86/87). Since 2005 the wage tax declaration has to be done electronically via ELSTER. Only in exceptional cases the tax office allows for the declaration in paper copy. Information can be obtained under The amount of the wage tax results from the wage tax chart obtainable at specialized retailers. For every employee a payroll has to be kept. Information can be obtained from banks and tax authorities. If a wage tax card is not available the income tax has to be calculated according to tax class IV of the gross wages. Furthermore in certain cases the possibility of consolidation in a lump sum exists. Taxation according to wage tax card: In wage tax classification I, II, III and IV no wage tax is deducted for marginally occupied (part-time worker earning no more than 400 Euros per month) as long as the employee has no other income. In case the employee secures his livelyhood by several jobs he has to submit further wage tax cards (class VI) according to which his income will be taxed. Wage tax on a per diem basis: In case the employee does not submit a wage tax card the employer can pay tax on the income of part-time employees on a per diem basis of 2 or 20 per cent. For temporary employees a lump sum of 25 per cent applies. Added are church tax and solidarity tax. Furthermore the employer has to pay the social insurance contributions. Recommended procedure: In case the entrepreneur is in doubt as to the admissibility of a consolidation into a lump sum he should tax the income according to wage tax class VI. This way he prevents to be taken into recourse by the tax authorities later on. Regulation for marginal occupation (geringfügige Beschäftigung): Since January 1, 2011 the employer has to keep a declaration of the marginal employed concerning further employments with his remuneration papers as well as a confirmation of the employee in marginal employment that the commencement of further employments has to be reported to the employer. This is relevant insofar as the employer is retroactively liable for a deliberate or grossly negligent lack of clarification of the social security facts. Definition: A marginal occupation is given when the earnings level of 400 Euro is not exceeded. For employers: lump-sum payments for taxes and social insurance contributions The employer pays a lump-sum of 30 per cent of the income of which 15 per cent are for the compulsory pension scheme, 13 per cent for the compulsory health insurance and two per cent for the income tax including church tax and solidarity tax. For employees: exempt from taxes and social security contributions The income from a marginal occupation remains exempt from taxes and social security contributions for the employee. In case the payment in form of a lump-sum amounting to 30 per cent (including tax portion of 2 per cent) is not permissible due to the addition of several employments the employer can tax the marginal occupation flat with 20 per cent. Several marginal employees will be added together. In case the limit of 400 Euro is exceeded all employees are subject to social insurance contributions. The obligation to
101 101 insure starts when announced by the collecting agency or the pension insurance carrier. This does not apply in case the employer failed deliberately or grossly negligent to clarify the facts of the social security assessment of the employment. In addition to an employment subject to social insurance contributions only one marginal employment is possible. As a rule every further marginal employment is subject to social insurance contributions even if 400 Euros are not exceeded. The central collection agency for marginally employed is the Minijobzentrale of the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Knappschaft-Bahn-See. Infos under: Apart from the notification requirement with the Minijobzentrale persists a notification and contribution obligation with the statutory accident insurance. Simplified procedure for employer and employees in private households: information regarding the level of contribution and the simplified household cheque clearance procedure (Haushaltsscheckverfahren) can be obtained from the Minijobzentrale. (Example tax office wage-tax return 2011 see page 86/87) Company number (see also 5.10) The employer requires a company number for applications with the employment office (e.g. work permit for foreign employees (see page 96) and for the registration of the employee with the social security system (see ). The company number is allocated by the company number service of the Federal Employment Office in Saarbrücken. The company number can be requested by telephone, in writing or per telefax or . The application form (see page 88-90) is available in the internet under (>Unternehmen>Sozialversicherung) (Example Federal Employment Office allocation of a company number see page 91) Obligation to contribute to the social insurance system for employees Social security card Sozialversicherungsausweis At the start of an employment every employee has to present his social security card to the employer. If necessary the employee has to apply for a social security card with the health insurance and hand it in later. The employer is obliged to ask for the belated submission of the social security card Compulsory registration There is immediate notification requirement for certain sectors of the economy (see notification requirement ). The employer is obliged to register his employees with the relevant health insurance. In addition to the notification requirement with the Minijobzentrale there is also a notification and contribution obligation with the statutory accident insurance.
102 102 Since January 1, 2006 registrations can only be generated via digital payroll accounting systems or an accepted fill-in helper (Ausfüllhilfe). These rules apply independent of the size of the company. Even if only one employee is employed the new technology has to be used. Since January 2006 the data exchange is fully automated and only admissible by data transfer. Even for employers providing the data on data carriers so far, the transmission is now possible only by data transfer. If a payroll accounting system able to process the tax and social security aspects is used, the system has to be examined and licensed by the Informationstechnische Servicestelle der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung GmbH (ITSG). An overview of already licensed programs can be found on the website of the ITSG ( Fill-in helpers serve exclusively for the automated transmission of manually accrued reports and statements of contributions paid. Fill-in helpers also have to be licensed by the ITSG. The compulsory health insurances offer a free fill-in helper called sv-net: SV-net is available in two versions: - sv.net/classic (supporting the ELENA-procedure) is a software installed on the computer of the employer and offers an automated administration of master data. Since January 1, 2010 all employers have to report remuneration statements in electronic form in form of data sets to the central storage location (ZSS) for all participants in the ELENA-procedure. In return, the obligation to issue certifications for those benefits included in the procedure will be dropped as of sv.net/online is an online-application based on internet-technology. The input masks of sv.net match the set-up of known forms. Prior to the transmission of data concerning the registration and statements of contributions paid extensive validity checks are carried out to protect data integrity. However, sv.net cannot replace the classic payroll accounting programs as neither remunerations nor social security contributions or tax portions can be calculated. The data transfer of payroll accounting programs can be carried out with special transfer software or software already included in the payroll accounting program. Prior to transfer the data are encrypted. The reports will be forwarded to the appropriate health insurances by the receiving offices of the health insurances. After transmission of the data the employer will receive a data protocol showing whether all data sets could be processed by the receiving offices of the health insurance. In case isolated data sets could not be processed the employer will receive a corresponding notification stating the error or source of error. Simultaneously he will receive a request for the transmission of the erroneous reports and statements of contributions paid (in corrected form). The registration with the compulsory health insurance for compulsory insured also includes the registration with the compulsory nursing care insurance. Employees insured voluntarily in the compulsory health insurance have the choice between compulsory or private nursing care insurance. They can be exempt from the compulsory nursing care insurance due to the conclusion of a private nursing care insurance. The employee has to submit a confirmation of his health insurance to his employer. Minijobs (marginal employments) have to be reported with the Minijobzentrale (see above). Furthermore the employer has to register all employees with the Employer s Liability Insurance Association/accident insurance.
103 103 According to the employment and the arising wage tax the wage-tax return has to be carried out with the tax authority (sample see page 86/87) Notification period For the registration and de-registration of employees the following notices apply: With the first salary statement at the start of the employment resp. with the next salary statement after the end of the employment, however, at the latest six weeks following the start resp. the end of employment. The employer has to report the content of the registration in writing to the person to be registered/de-registered. Since January 1, 2009 a copy of the registration can also be transferred electronically on a safe transmission path. For marginally employed the same notification periods apply. The registration, however, has to be effected via the Deutsche Rentenversicherung, Knappschaft Bahn-See, Minijob-Zentrale, Essen, Since January 1, 2009 an immediate obligation to register applies for certain branches of industry. For these branches the registration has to be effected at the latest with the start of the employment directly to the data centre of the pension insurance (DSRV). The employers of the following industrial branches are affected by this additional immediate registration: - building industry - restaurant and hotel industry - passenger transportation services - forwarding companies and connected logistics industry - funfair operators - forestry industry - commercial cleaning industry - companies participating in the assembly and disassembly of tradeshows and exhibitions - meat industry As of January 1, 2009 employees in this branches have to carry their personal documents with them. The duty to carry the social insurance ID is no longer existent but it still has to be shown to the employer at the start of the employment. The employer has to inform every employee verifiable and in writing concerning the duty to carry their personal documents and has to keep this instruction for the duration of the service/work performance and has to show it in case of control Social insurance contributions The employer has to retain the social insurance contributions from the income owed and to transfer them to the corresponding social insurance agency. This covers the compulsory health insurance, pension fund, nursing care insurance and unemployment insurance. The contributions are due on the third last bank working day of the month in which the occupation has been carried out at the latest. The appropriate health insurances inform about the special regulations applying for marginally employed und temporary employees. Since January 1, 2009 the contribution to the insolvency fund of the workers' compensation board will also be collected by the health insurances together with the joint social insurance contributions.
104 Employment of foreign employees Employees coming from non-eu-countries can only be employed if they submit a valid residence permit which allows for taking up of this kind of work Residence authorisation and work permit The necessary residence authorisation is issued by the aliens department of the district offices and cities. To receive a residence permit the foreigner has to submit a corresponding application with the representation of the Federal Republic of Germany prior to his arrival in Germany. To enter on a tourist visa is not sufficient because with a tourist visa an employment is excluded. Citizens from Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea and the USA can also apply for a work permit with the corresponding aliens department after their arrival in Germany. Citizens from the EFTA-countries Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and citizens of Switzerland enjoy free movement of labour. They do not require a residence authorisation and can pursue employment. For all non-eu citizens the residence permit for the purpose of employment has to be submitted before the start of the employment. For the issuance of such a residence permit as a rule the approval of the responsible employment agency has to be existent, which will be obtained by the aliens department in an internal administrative procedure. The approval of the employment agency will become part of the residence permit as incidental provision. A special work permit will not be issued. (Example Antrag auf Erteilung bzw. Verlängerung eines Aufenthaltstitels (application for granting and/or extending a residence permit), see page 92-95) Types of work permits The residence authorisation will be entered in the passport of the foreigner. The most frequent form is the residence permit which is in principle temporary and earmarked e.g. for stay as student or in form of a limited/temporary employment In addition to the residence permit there is the permanent alien residence (Niederlassungserlaubnis) and the permit for the permanent right of residence (Daueraufenthalt-EG) which are unlimited and not earmarked. A non-eu citizen will only receive the above mentioned permits when sufficient indications show that the foreigner is integrated in Germany. The duration of the stay in Germany, how he earns his living, knowledge of the German language and of the legal system and the social order in Germany are decisive factors of special importance. The employment office offers the free leaflet Beschäftigung ausländischer Arbeitnehmer in Deutschland (employment of foreign employees in Germany) which informs about the employment opportunities. If required, detailed information can be obtained. (Example employment of foreigners see page 97-98)
105 Short-term employment For short-term and seasonal employment a number of special regulations apply. This affects e.g. assembly work and the restaurant and catering business. The relevant alien authority informs about regulations of the residence permit; the employment office will inform regarding the work permit. A leaflet concerning the regulations for seasonal workers can be obtained free of charge from the unemployment office or downloaded in the internet under (>Veröffentlichungen>Merkblätter) New EU-members Nationals of EU member states from Eastern Europe (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Hungary) which joined the EU on May 1, 2004 do no longer require a work permit for Germany as of May 1, After a transition period of seven years these citizens obtained freedom of movement and free movement of services within the EU. For nationals of Romania and Bulgaria, who joined the EU on January 1, 2007 the restrictions due to the temporary regulations apply until the end of 2013 the latest. As EU-citizens they enjoy free movement of persons within the EU and thus do not need a residence permit for entry into Germany and/or a stay in Germany. However, as a general rule during the transition period a work permit is required prior to taking up employment which will be issued by the relevant job employment agency in form of an EU work permit (Arbeitsberechtigung-EU). (Example Antrag auf Arbeitsgenehmigung (application for work permit), see page 96) Notification requirement for asylum seekers Employees receiving benefits according to the law concerning benefits for asylum seekers (Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz) have to report the commencement of an employment within
106 106 three days with the relevant district authority. The employer has to inform the employee about this notification requirement. 4 Financing Everyone who wants to set up his own business needs start-up capital. He must invest in machinery, office technology, stock and personnel in order to get the business going. Generally, the existing equity capital is insufficient to finance all these things. Therefore, the founder of the new business has to borrow money to implement his new business idea. Recently, however, it has become increasingly difficult to receive sufficient outside capital to set up one s own business. The banking and economic crisis has caused banks, venture-capital firms and state-run promotion institutions to become especially cautious. Without a conclusive business concept it is almost impossible to access funds. But there is also a positive side to this fact. If absurd new business ideas fail to be funded due to threats of loan loss, this simultaneously protects many founders of new businesses from ruining themselves. A statistics by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Munich illuminates this positive effect: The chance of survival for a business after five years amounts to 61.8 per cent for businesses without government funding; to 70.6 per cent for businesses with bank funding and to 96.6 per cent for businesses with government funding. There is a simple reason for the positive effects of government funding: It requires the founder of the new business to devise a particularly detailed business concept and financing scheme. This financing scheme consists of two parts: 1. Planning the application of funds (For which purpose and to what amount are funds needed?) 2. Planning the sources of funds (Where shall the necessary funds come from?) Planning the application of funds The capital requirements for the fixed assets are made up of the following investments: Company premises Company building Conversions Installations Furnishings and machinery Motor vehicles Office equipment and furnishings Tools Stock equipment and furnishings Patents, licences Redemption of goodwill Fixed assets Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Apart from financing the fixed assets and the merchandise/material stock it has to be considered that your customers will take advantage of the period of payment as well. You will have to provide advance financing for these orders till receipt of payment, which has to be considered in the calculation for the capital requirements.
107 107 For maintaining liquidity, the length of the start-up period, i.e. the period of time needed to achieve sufficient turnover, is of particular importance. For the estimation of the funds required during the start-up period, the following rules of thumb have proven to be worthwhile: General liquidity reserve: one twelfth of the yearly costs Liquidity reserve for fixed costs (esp. rent): three months requirement Liquidity reserve for the cost of living of the founder of the new business: private expenses including long-term obligations for six months. Furthermore, for the person setting up in business, the following non-recurrent expenses arise: Expenses related to setting up business (Entry in commercial register, consultation fees, licences, etc.) Security for rent Advertisement for the newly established business Others (i.e. fees for seminars on how to set up one s business) Start-up costs Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Euro: Planning the source of funds The so-called financing rules, which determine how long funds are tied-up within the business, give clues as to the effective financing of a business. Golden financing rule: The fixed assets are covered by equity capital, the working capital is covered by borrowed capital. Silver financing rule: The fixed assets are covered by equity capital and long-term borrowed capital, the working capital is covered by borrowed capital. Structure of capital reserves rule: At least one third of the total capital requirements for setting up in business should be covered by equity capital. 4.1 Forms of financing Generally, a person setting up in business has the following financing alternatives: Loans: long-term loans with conditions customary in banking, low-interest loans subsidized by public programs. Current account credit: short-term loans to finance ongoing operating expenses Lease financing Supplier credits Leasing Lease financing is a very common alternative to expensive investments financed by banks. It is now common in all areas of business. When leasing is referred to usually lease financing is meant.
108 108 Lease financing can be defined as the leasing of mobile investment goods, such as office equipment, machine tools, IT equipment, furnishings of shops, offices and hotels as well as the leasing of real estate, such as administrative buildings, factories and supermarkets. In doing so a fixed period of rent, within which the contract cannot be terminated, is agreed upon. Lease financing offers the following advantages: equity capital is saved and liquidity is increased, while the duration is tailored to individual requirements. Being property professionals the leasing company can consider the leasing object to some extent with a higher security value based on their special know-how for the realization of used movable goods and real estate. This may increase the financial scope. Within the business world, leasing has taken a well established place as a supplement to bank loans. However, leasing agencies ask the same good credit standings as banks do. 4.2 Review of credit standing As a rule, banks only grant loans if the loan loss risk remains within reasonable limits. The bank will review the credit standing of the potential borrower. Regardless whether the loan will be granted from bank funds or from public funding programs the bank will check the following criteria: 1. Personal requirements General personal and economic circumstances (existing obligations, mode of payment in the past) Knowledge of the industry Job history School education, professional training and further education 2. Motives for entering into self-employment 3. Age 4. Objective requirements Market chances (existing competition, marketing concept) Location Existing business relations Equity capital Evaluation of entrepreneurial concept Participation of spouse in business Personal income of spouse In order to lead successful loan negotiations with the bank, the entrepreneur needs the following documents: 1. Business concept 2. Forecasts of costs, turnover and profit for at least three years 3. Liquidity budget for at least 24 months 4. CV, job history 5. Proof of professional training (for trades requiring a license: exams, evidence of formal qualifications) 6. Information on location and catchment area 7. Purchase or lease contract 8. For an already existing object: photos Loans are only granted if sufficient securities are available. The following securities are possible:
109 109 Transfer of property by way of security of the equipment acquired (machines and furnishings however will only be accepted as security at part of their real value.) Mortgage Term life insurance Suretyship of spouse and/or a third person (e.g. supplier) Suretyship of the Bürgschaftsbank Bayern (guarantee bank) or the LfA Förderbank Bayern 4.3 Public Promotion Programs The federal government as well as the Freistaat Bayern (State of Bavaria) offer numerous public financing aid programs to support persons setting up in business: low-interest loans, public suretyships, partial indemnity and equity participation. The government also promotes investments in development areas by means of considerable subsidies; moreover there are financial support programs by the EU. The Federal Republic of Germany offers a great amount of promotion and model programs. For people setting up in business and for the promotion of new technology there are about 1,000 financial aid programs. Even experts have their difficulties in keeping an overview of these countless promotion programs. Nevertheless, in many cases, it pays off to approach the Chamber of Industry and Commerce to acquire specific information about all possibilities. Preconditions for public financing aids are personal reliability, professional qualification and a promising business concept. Furthermore, the share of equity financing has to correspond to the capital situation and projected earnings. Debt rescheduling is impossible. The following principles apply to public financing programs: House bank principle: The application for public financing aid must be made by a bank. The choice of bank is left to the person setting up in business. Primary liability: For some credit programs the house bank must assume full liability. This requires detailed negotiations between the applicant and the bank about securing the risk of loan loss. Advance clause: The application for granting a public funds loan has to be made before starting the project, as supplementary financing after the project launch is not possible. The project is started as soon as the person setting up in business makes first substantial investments and enters into considerable financial involvements. When the application is made in advance, the house bank can bridge the necessary investments. Financial independence: The target of the financial aid programs is the financial independence of the applicant. The business has to have a realistic chance to provide a secure long-term income for the entrepreneur. The self-employed person is not allowed to support himself by other side jobs. After a certain start-up phase the business has to achieve sufficient profitability. Exception: The LfA universal loan (LfA- Universalkredit) and/or the KfW start-up loan start money (KfW-Gründerkredit- StartGeld) promote not only the start-up phase of part-time self-employment but also the initial financing. Takeover and participation: Taking over an already existing business is also considered as setting up in business. The active participation in a business can also be promoted but not the participation as a limited partner, silent partner or as a
110 110 partner of a private limited company, when the partnership is not connected to the power to conduct business. Investment funding: Sponsored investments include stocks of merchandise and material. Production facilities: The LfA universal loan (LfA-Universalkredit) and/or the KfW start-up loan start money (KfW-Gründerkredit-StartGeld) as well as the Kfw start-up loan universal (KfW-Gründerkredit-Universell) also allow the funding of production facilities such as the advance financing of orders and product development. The KfW-start-up loan start money (KfW-Gründerkredit-StartGeld) and the KfW startup loan universal (KfW-Gründerkredit-Universell) combine the financing of investments and production facilities. 4.4 Different forms of public financing ERP-capital for setting up in business by the KfW (ERP-Kapital für Gründung der KfW) The ERP-capital for setting up in business can be granted even without proof of securities customary in banking. It requires only a professional opinion by an independent institution, such as the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Entitled to make an application are business founders from the industrial economy and freelancers if setting up a sustained independent business would have been substantially impaired without this financing aid. Preconditions are sufficient technical and commercial qualifications with adequate practical vocational experience. Promoted activities include setting up in business, acquiring a business as well as an active participation including investments within three years of setting up. Persons setting up in business can only participate in this program, if they can provide adequate private funds for their planned investments. Private funds are monetary funds and property assets. The share of private means should not fall below 15 per cent of the evaluation basis. With the capital for setting up in business the private funds can be increased to not more than 45 per cent of the evaluation basis. The interest rate depends on the terms and conditions of the capital market. Especially in the first years it is reduced considerably. The payout amounts to 100 per cent. The borrower has to pay an annual guarantee payment of 1 per cent. The term of the loan is 15 years and the repayment starts in the eighth year KfW-Gründerkredit-StartGeld (KfW start-up loan start money) The KfW-Gründerkredit-StartGeld is assisting persons setting up their own business up to three years after the foundation with a maximum loan of 100,000 Euros. Thereof production equipment can be financed up to a maximum of 30,000 Euros. A second application within three years after foundation in case of non-exhaustion of the maximum amount of the loan is possible. The KfW-Gründerkredit-Start-Geld is available in two kinds of maturity: Up to 5 years with one year free of redemption Up to 10 years with two years free of redemption and an 80 per cent indemnity each.
111 KfW-Gründerkredit-Universell (KfW start-up loan universal) The KfW-Gründerkredit-Universell offers financing aid for capital investments and production equipment. Depending on credit standing and securities of the borrower, this financial aid program entails an individualized interest rate for each borrower. The upper limit for terms and conditions is defined by the KfW Startkredit der LfA Förderbank Bayern (start-up loan granted by the LfA Förderbank Bayern) This funding program promotes business set-ups in the area of trade and industry. This includes trade, hotel and restaurant industry, handicraft, industry, transportation and services. Entitled to apply are also freelancers. Persons setting up in business for the second time are also entitled to this funding program when between giving up the last independent activity and the start-up of a new business are at least 12 months. Within this program, the set-up of a new business is funded, including the first stock of merchandise, business takeovers and active participations. According to program conditions investments can be financed up to three years after the start of the business. A funding of the merchandise stock, however, is only possible when the investive proportion amounts to at least 50 per cent. Depending on credit standing and securities of the borrower, individualized interest rates apply for this funding product. The upper limits for terms and conditions are defined by the LfA Förderbank Bayern. The house bank can also ask for an indemnity of 70 per cent of the credit sum. The interest rate lies below the level of the KfW-entrepreneurial loan. The payout amounts to 100 per cent. The term of the loan is between 4 and 20 years with redemption-free years. For building projects the term is 15 years, four years of which are redemption-free. The minimum investment sum amounts to 30,000 Euros. The program for small and medium-sized businesses finances a maximum of 40 per cent of the total investment sum, including the first stock of merchandise. With the start-up loan 100 the expenses eligible for financial aid can be increased to 100 per cent. Additionally, the LfA Förderbank Bayern grants special terms and conditions within the development areas of the EU structure funds. 4.5 Promotion policy for the improvement of regional structure In some regions of Bavaria persons setting up in business can also profit from public funding programs supporting economically underdeveloped regions. These programs are available for Development areas of the Joint Agreement for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures Rural regions according to the Bavarian development program (LEP) These funding programs exist for businesses within the production and the tourist industry. Future operators of restaurants, guest-houses and hotels can additionally take advantage of the tourist promotional program of the Bavarian government. Information is available from the economic department of the responsible district government and the LfA Förderbank Bayern.
112 Suretyships Businesses in urgent need of capital do not always have the necessary securities available to receive a long-term bank loan with regular redemption. One possible solution in this case is a suretyship of the Bürgschaftsbank Bayern (guarantee bank Bavaria) ( or of the LfA Förderbank Bayern. The respective house bank has to apply for such a suretyship. In Bavaria, this would be the Bürgschaftsbank Bayern GmbH. The costs for an 80 per cent deficiency guarantee amount to 0.80 per cent per year of the amount of the suretyship. In addition a non-recurring 1 per cent of the amount of bond for the company s liability guarantee fund and 200 Euro as non-recurring handling fee (in case the suretyship will not come about) has to be paid. 4.7 Equity participation Next to bank loans, equity participations are another alternative to strengthen the equity capital basis of a business. In this context an important address is the BayBG Bayerische Bereitstellungsgesellschaft mbh, Bruderstraße 7, München which participates qua partner in businesses (usually as silent partner). However, the business must meet the following requirements: professional management, workable concept and sustained marketability. Along with the LfA Förderbank Bayern the BayBG is offering special models of participation for formations and persons setting up in business within the first 60 months. The participations have a time span of 10 years and can also be used to finance capital expenditure requirements and production equipment and facilities. Further information can be obtained from the Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbh, telephone and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Young technology companies in need of capital to finance innovations can obtain equity capital via the Bayern Kapital GmbH, Altstadt 72, Landshut. The BayBG Bayerische Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbh also supports the financing of management buy-outs or buy-ins. 4.8 Gründungszuschuss (start-up allowance for persons receiving unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld I) The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Employment Agency) supports unemployed persons, who want to set up in business, with a start-up allowance. The amount of the allowance depends on the entitlement of the unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld I (ALG I). The allowance for setting up in business can be granted in two phases: Phase I: For nine months amounting to the unemployment benefit ALG I plus a lump sum of 300 Euros per month. Phase II: A further 6 months as optional benefit amounting to 300 Euros. Requirement for both phases is amongst others the presentation of a certified business plan documenting the prospects of success. For the start-up allowance changes are planned for the end of Further information is available from the respective employment agencies or the Chambers of Industry and Commerce.
113 Einstiegsgeld (start-up benefit for persons receiving unemployment benefit ALG II) Unemployed persons receiving unemployment benefit ALG II have no legal right to claim start-up allowance. However, they can set up in business by means of the so-called Einstiegsgeld (start-up benefit). The case manager of the responsible ARGE (Arbeitsgemeinschaft) will decide about the amount of this optional benefit. Apart from this start-up benefit some consortiums provide further benefits for persons receiving unemployment benefit ALG II wanting to set up in business. For further information please contact the responsible ARGE or the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Grant for start-ups from university in the initial phase The Bavarian FLÜGGE program supports start-ups from university in their initial phase. Parallel to the conception phase of their business start-up graduates can work for one to two years as part-timer at their university and thus secure their livelihood. Apart from a completed university education an innovative business concept in the production or service sector supported by a promising business plan is precondition for an application. The founders will be supported by a professor as well as at least one foundation coach from industry. Guidelines, application forms as well as the address of the project executing organization can be found under: Program for the promotion of technology orientated start-ups BayTOU Independent of the line of business BayTOU offers financial support for technological and economic start-up development projects fraught with risk. The promotion can already start in the conception phase with the formulation of the technological-commercial basis. Grants with a reimbursement rate of up to 40 per cent of the elegible costs are granted. For technological operations in the concept phase the promotion amounts to max. 26,000 Euros. For software developements the maximum promotion sum amounts to 150,000 Euros. Preconditions for promotion are amongst others: - Company age less than 6 years - The company employs not more than 10 employees - The start-up has to concern a new product or a new technological service anticipating significant competitive advantages and market opportunities due to a technological novelty. Further information regarding the TOU-program: for the administrative regions Oberbayern, Niederbayern and Schwaben: Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Infrastruktur, Verkehr und Technologie Innovationsberatungsstelle Südbayern München Phone: for the administrative regions Oberpfalz, Oberfranken, Mittelfranken und Unterfranken:
114 114 LGA Landesgewerbeanstalt Bayern Innovationsberatungsstelle Nordbayern Nürnberg Phone: Internet: Research and development program IuK-Technik With the research- and development program the Free State of Bavaria is promoting innovative research and development programs in the information and communication technology within the high-tech-offensive. Target of the FuE-program (FuE = Forschungsund Entwicklungsprogramm research and development program) is the support of new, innovative businesses in the field of information and communication technology as well as the improvement of cooperation of companies with universities and research establishments. Promoted are research projects carried out in cooperation between companies and universities respectively in cooperation of several companies. Eligible funds range from the development of new components and software for telecommunication systems to communication technological applications including software engineering. An eligible project has to fulfil the following preconditions: Research or development of innovative, technological novelties fraught with risk in the information and communication technology. Economic usability Participation of at least one company and one research establishment or of at least two companies from Bavaria. The promotion for companies is granted in form of max. 50 per cent of eligible costs for personnel, material, external services and special direct costs (pro rata temporis and relating to the project). Further information can be obtained from: VDI/VDE Innovation Technik GmbH Susanne Kählig or Dr. Jürgen Dam Heimeranstr München Phone: (Mr. Dam) (Ms. Kählig) or Start-ups can apply for further technology support programs offered by the Free State, the Federation and the EU. However, these programs always require that the business is in a position to carry out the research project financially and with the necessary workforce. As newly founded businesses in the start-up phase are often financed with credit capital the funding authority usually requires a bank guarantee. Start-ups should obtain advice from the corresponding agencies. 5 Social security of the business 5.1 Insurance law Whether young company, medium sized business or conglomerate - every business is faced with general and specific operational risks. General risks can affect every business. This includes natural hazards like lightning, hale, storm, fire as well as burglary and thievery. When choosing suitable insurances the person setting up in business has to keep in mind his specific protection requirements next to these universal risks. He has to balance carefully
115 115 which insurance he really needs. Protection against all operational risks is usually due to cost reasons neither possible nor feasible Public liability insurance Possible action for damages and third-party claims cause further risks for a young business. The public liability insurance is therefore one of the most important insurances for the person setting up in business. This insurance covers the damages occurring to third parties by the business e.g. when a customer is hurt by falling goods. The public liability insurance extends to damages caused by employees to third parties (e.g. customers, suppliers) in the course of their business activities. It also insures the businessperson as employer against damages suffered by employees through his fault during working hours. Excluded from the insurance cover are damages of rented, leased or borrowed objects Property insurances Fire insurance: Fire insurance is the most important insurance for a business. It covers damages resulting from fire, explosion or lightning damage of the insured objects (building, technical and commercial production equipment, stock etc.) as well as the cost of clean-up operations, demolition and extinguishing of fires. Burglary insurance: The burglary insurance grants replacement if insured objects are stolen, damaged or destroyed. Only property of the businessperson is insured although third party property (i.e. borrowed machines and vehicles) can be included in the burglary insurance by special agreement. Plain theft in the shop or stockroom by customers or employees is not covered. Water pipe insurance: This insurance covers water damage to buildings, merchandise or production equipment. Plate glass insurance: The plate glass insurance covers damage caused by breakage of glass panes or other glazing. Scratches or damages on the surface however are not included in the insurance. Transport insurance: This insurance covers vehicle accidents, fire, burglary into the parked vehicle or theft of the vehicle with its load. 5.2 The principle of personal responsibility Efficient social systems are one of the features of the model Germany. More than a hundred years ago the first laws to regulate health, accident and pension insurance were introduced, 1927 unemployment insurance followed and 1995 nursing care insurance was introduced. Due to compulsory insurance for employees within certain income limits, a high percentage of the population is covered by the network of social insurances. In case of an emergency supplementary public assistance secures the minimum living income, in case of illness or unemployment the social insurances prevent financial disaster. Self-employed persons, on the other hand, do not have such a social network. State and government tacitly assume that entrepreneurs are willing and able to show a high level of personal responsibility. Unfortunately, things sometimes look different in practice: regularly newspapers report on the social descent of failed entrepreneurs and of owners of small businesses, who cannot pay their rent in old age, since they never invested one single cent
116 116 in provisions for their pension. Although this subject is hardly ever mentioned in the discussion forums about Germany s entrepreneurial culture, the examples mentioned show that especially persons setting up in business should provide for their social security quite soon. The following explanations serve only as a guideline. Due to the changing regulations and the jurisdiction individual questions should be clarified directly with the compulsory and/or private insurance companies. 5.3 Self employed, employed or fictitiously self-employed Whether a self-employed or an employed occupation is carried out depends on the overall circumstances. Decisive for an employment is generally a wage-related activity. Selfemployed carry the economic risk themselves and profit and loss have a direct influence on the income. Furthermore the employment of one or several employees subject to social insurance contributions (or several marginally employed with a remuneration of more than 400 Euros in total) is an indication that a self-employed occupation is carried out. This not always has to apply for sales representatives for example who are warranted a certain base salary. Furthermore hybrid forms like for examples partners of a company are not always self-employed. In the following the different forms of self-employment will be addressed. Due to the fact that a compulsory health insurance applies for the resident population as a whole this section is going to highlight the specifics of individual occupational groups regarding the obligation to take out insurance with the health insurance and/or the pension insurance Farmers Entrepreneurs in agriculture and forestry including viticulture, fruit-growing, vegetablegrowing, pond construction and fish farming whose businesses are their means of existence are subject to compulsory health and care insurance, old age insurance and accident insurance. The individual insurance carriers are combined in the Landwirtschaftlichen Sozialversicherung (LSV) (agricultural social insurance). There are nine regional LSVs. Spitzenverband der Landwirtschaftlichen Sozialversicherung (LSV-SpV) Weißensteinstr , Kassel Phone: Internet: Artists and publicists Self-employed artists and publicists are subject to the social security law for artists. According to this a compulsory coverage for this group of people is stipulated, provided that certain requirements are fulfilled. Conditions to become a member of the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) (Artists' Social Welfare Fund) are as follows: - The artistic or publicist profession must not be a temporary one. - The insured person must not employ more than one employee, exceptions are marginally employed persons or employment for the purpose of vocational training - The activity takes place primarily in Germany. - A minimum annual income limit of 3,900 Euros and/or a monthly income of 325 Euros (exceptions apply only for persons just starting their career).
117 117 Persons, who professionally practice, create or teach music, performing or fine arts are considered artists. This includes for example painters, (artistic) photographers, sculptors, singers and musicians. But also freelance designers in the areas graphic design, multimedia, textiles, fashion and industrial design can belong to the group of the insured. Furthermore teaching professions like for example music teachers. Authors, writers and journalists or those teaching journalism are considered publicists. The Artists' Social Welfare Fund offers pension, health and nursing care insurance this group of persons. Like employees those insured with the Artists' Social Welfare Fund only pay half of the insurance contributions. The compulsory accident insurance is not part of the Artists' Social Welfare Fund. For example an annual earned income of 20,000 Euro would currently result in a monthly contribution of approx. 320 Euros. This is comprised of as follows: For the contribution to the health insurance (contribution rate 15.5 per cent) the insured is allotted 7.3 per cent per cent additional contribution. This results in a contribution of Euros. For nursing insurance (contribution rate 1.95 per cent for parents, 2.2 per cent for childless individuals) the insured is allotted per cent (1.225 per cent for childless individuals). This results in a contribution of Euros resp Euros (for childless individuals). For the pension insurance (contribution rate 19.9 per cent) the insured is allotted 9.95 per cent. This results in a contribution rate of Euros. The other half is covered by the Artists' Social Welfare Fund which is financing the necessary funds through a contribution of the government and fees paid by companies utilizing artistic and journalistic achievements. Currently a contribution of 3.9 per cent in form of a social insurance contribution for artists has to be paid. Assessment basis are the fees paid to the freelance artists or journalists. Further information is available from the Artists' Social Welfare Fund Künstlersozialkasse Gökestr. 14, Wilhelmshaven, Service number: Workers from home (Hausgewerbetreibende), homeworker (Heimarbeiter) and intermediaries (Zwischenmeister) Workers from home (Hausgewerbetreibende) are self-employed persons working commercially from their own place of work by order and account of contractors, non-profitmaking organisations or public corporations. Workers from home define kind and extent, beginning and end of the activity themselves. Furthermore they can employ assistants. According to the social security law workers from home are thus considered self-employed persons. According to 2 No. 6 SGB VI they are subject to the compulsory pension insurance and according to 2 No. 6 SGB VII subject to compulsory accident insurance. Homeworkers (Heimarbeiter) on the contrary are employees working commercially from their own place of work on their own or with other family members exclusively for contractors, nonprofit-making organisations or public corporations according to the provisions of the Code of Social Law. They are subject to the social insurance system in its entirety.
118 118 Intermediaries (Zwischenmeister) are passing on work they got assigned from contractors to workers from home or home workers without being employees themselves. They are generally treated like workers from home and are subject to the compulsory accident insurance. The compulsory pension insurance applies only in case they work as workers from home at the same time Corporate Partners Civil-law partnership (GbR) and general partnership (OHG) From the point of view of social legislation, contributory partners in a civil-law partnership as well as in a general partnership are seen as self-employed persons. They are not subject to the full compulsory coverage of an employee and are treated like co-owners. Even if they are assigned the authority of a business manager and receive a special remuneration they are not subject to compulsory coverage Limited partnership (KG) A limited partnership has at least one general partner and one limited partner. The general partners are fully liable, profit and loss of the company have an immediate effect on the wages of the management. Thus they are self-employed. Limited partners employed in the business are employees subject to compulsory insurance. Exception: Following a management resolution, the limited partner takes over the business management without being limited by the general partners. Limited partners not receiving a remuneration equivalent to their work within the partnership but participate in the profits are also not liable to insurance deductions Partners in a private limited company (GmbH) and/or business company Whether the business manager or partner of a private limited company is subject to insurance coverage depends on different criteria. The crucial question is, whether the position held within the business is a self-employed or not a self-employed one. The position of a partner is considered self-employed, if he carries out the economic power of the business in a decisive manner. This always applies in case of a majority-controlling interest (at least 50 per cent of the nominal capital). However, partners who hold less than 50 per cent of the nominal capital can be considered self-employed, if they are managing partners independent of instructions. Possible questions should be clarified with the appropriate health insurance. The aforementioned explanations also apply for the partners of a business company Stock corporation (AG) According to the provisions of the compulsory pension insurance members or vice members of the executive board of a stock corporation are not employees. Therefore, they are not subject to pension or unemployment insurance.
119 Corporate partnership (Partnerschaftsgesellschaft) The individual partners of a partnership, which can only be founded by freelancers are like the partners of a GbR or OHG - considered self-employed. They are not subject to compulsory social insurance as they are in no dependent relation to the partnership. Exceptions see Fictitious self-employment The evaluation by the institutions providing social security benefits, to what extent a dependent employment (fictitious self-employment) and/or a self-employed occupation is concerned, is based on the Social Security Code as well as relevant legislative decisions. Indications for a dependent employment resp. fictitious self-employment are given especially when: - activities are carried out in accordance with instructions - no persons subject to social insurance contributions are employed - the person is integrated in the employment organisation of the person or company giving instructions - the person has carried out the activity as an employee for the client before - activities are carried out permanently and predominantly for one single client - the client employs employees subject to social insurance in the same scope of functions. Prior to setting up a business it should be checked thoroughly whether a fictitious selfemployment exists. The client or the contractor can apply for a so-called determination of status with the Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bund (German pension insurance). The German pension insurance can supply information regarding social security issues and questions regarding the status in advance. The application form for the determination of status can be downloaded from the internet. Deutsche Rentenversicherung Service telephone number Note: In case of a belated determination of fictitious self-employment by the German pension insurance the client automatically receives the status as employer and the fictitious selfemployed as employee. For both parties this entails consequences regarding industrial law, social security and tax law. 5.4 Health insurance Self-employed are especially at risk to become a social welfare case in case they have not provided for their social security. The self-employment may fail due to a severe illness or an accident. In order not to lose home and possessions and to become dependent on social benefits self-employed have to take care of their insurance coverage. Meanwhile the legislator exerted influence on the resident population as a whole by introducing a compulsory health insurance. As a matter of principle there is a choice between compulsory and private health insurance. Compulsory insurance Self-employment itself is not bringing about insurance coverage or a right of accession to compulsory health insurance. However, self-employed have the possibility to continue a prior existing insurance voluntarily or to be covered within the provisions of the health insurance coverage for the resident population.
120 120 Precondition for voluntary membership is the requirement that the person concerned has been compulsory insured immediately prior to the withdrawal of the hitherto membership continuously for at least 12 months or 24 months within the last five years. The admission to compulsory insurance has to be effected in writing within three months after the end of the previous membership. The voluntary membership follows the hitherto existing membership and can be terminated by a notice of termination. The general health insurance coverage for the resident population requires that the person concerned has been insured with the compulsory health insurance at last. In case the last health insurance has been a private one a membership in the compulsory health insurance is not possible. Precondition for the general health insurance coverage is furthermore that no otherwise coverage (i.e. private health insurance, claims against foreign insurance companies etc.) exists. The general health insurance covera2ge starts (if necessary retroactively) with the date no other coverage can be proven and ends with the proof of another coverage. Independent of the legal position of the insurance the premium statement will be done consistently. In doing so all income of the member will be considered. In case no or only a low income is achieved the contributions are calculated from a fictitious minimum income (minimum contribution). Apart from the compulsory health insurance persons setting up their own business also have the possibility to conclude a private health insurance. A compulsory coverage also applies for those who cannot show a pre-insurance period in the compulsory health insurance and who are currently without insurance. This is especially of importance for self-employed who have been privately insured prior to the start of the selfemployed activity. The private health insurance companies are obliged to insure so far uninsured persons attributed to private health insurances. The insurance companies offer a so-called base rate comparable to the insurance coverage of the compulsory health insurance. The obligation for acceptance only applies for the base rate Compulsory health insurance and private additional insurance A voluntary reinstatement or the above mentioned statutory insurance in the compulsory health insurance and an additional private insurance for hospital per diem for example can also be a good combination. The person setting up in business resp. the self-employed is responsible for his health insurance coverage himself. The compulsory and private insurances will inform comprehensively. In case of a full-time self-employment (at least 18 hours per week) the possibility to remain resp. to become dependently insured with the compulsory insurance of the spouse for a transitional period while no profit is achieved is not possible. In case self-employed are insured with the compulsory health insurance and the family members are covered as well they remain co-insured with the voluntary insurance without a contribution increase (see ). Certain preconditions apply. Note: Self-employed should take charge of their health insurance coverage immediately. Regardless whether a compulsory or a private health insurance is decided on, it is essential to contact the corresponding insurance carrier. Otherwise there is a risk that contributions have to be paid with retrospective effect.
121 Compulsory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) The health insurance is an important pillar of the social network. The benefits are listed in the Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB V)). The following benefits are mentioned: - Prevention of illnesses - Early recognition of illnesses - Treatment of illnesses These benefits include medical and supplemental benefits for rehabilitation necessary to prevent an impending disability, to remedy disability or to prevent an aggravation or to prevent and/or to alleviate a nursing care dependency. The compulsory health insurance (GKV) basically incorporates a claim of benefits in kind. This means that apart from additional payments - the insured can use the services of doctors, dentists, pharmacists, hospitals and other contracting partners of the insurances without the use of cash. The system is based on payment settlement via insurance card. All insured can choose the reimbursement of costs procedure instead of the allowance in kind or the supply of services. In this case the insured is bound to the reimbursement of costs procedure for at least one calendar quarter. Prior to choosing the reimbursement of costs procedure it is recommended to obtain detailed information from the insurance company. In case the reimbursement of costs procedure is chosen the health care providers (doctors, hospitals etc.) are no longer bound to contractual provisions and after reimbursement by the insurance a considerable deductible can be anticipated. Without a sufficient private insurance the cost reimbursement procedure can be quite unfavourable. Like for all voluntary insured the contribution rate for self-employed persons depends on the entire income. A statutory minimum income is assumed. The upper contribution limit is determined by the income threshold, which is adjusted on a yearly basis and currently stands at 3, Euros monthly. Between these two contributions exists the possibility of a tariff classification based on income. No surcharges are imposed for certain existing illnesses. The contribution rate for 2011 has been determined consistently for all compulsory health insurances. It amounts to 14.9 per cent (without sickness benefit entitlement) resp per cent (general contribution rate). The health fund allocates the funds according to a given quota to the health insurances. In case their income is not sufficient the health insurance can charge an additional contribution from the insured. In case of a surplus the health insurance can pay out a bonus to the insured Sickness benefits For full-time self-employed the claim for sickness benefits is initially excluded by law. In return they pay the reduced health insurance contribution. However, full-time self-employed can state versus the health insurance that the membership should include the claim for sickness benefit beginning with week 7 following the inability to work. With this declaration the payment of contributions according to the general contribution rate will become due. A sickness benefit claim before the 7 th week following the inability to work is not possible. The payment of sickness benefit due to an inability to work depends on the loss of income. In case no income is earned no sickness benefit has to be paid by the insurance. The statutory sickness benefit is restricted to a maximum amount of Euros per day.
122 122 In addition to statutory sickness benefit health insurances offer different optional tariffs (Wahltarife). In addition to the loss of income analogue to the statutory sickness benefit they can encompass the payment of sickness benefit prior to week 7 following the inability to work or the payment of sickness benefit amounting to more than the statutory sickness benefit. Detailed provisions can be obtained from the respective health insurances. In case such an optional tariff has been chosen a special premium has to be paid in addition to the health insurance contribution. Furthermore they are associated with a three year commitment to the respective insurance. This implies that a termination is only possible in exceptional cases Family insurance Family members can be co-insured with the GKV without additional contributions. Limiting condition: the personal income of the family members is not exceeding 365 Euros per month (e.g. rental income) and they are not full-time self-employed (more than 18 hours/week). For marginally employed the admissible total income amounts to 400 Euros. In case one parent of a child is not a member of the compulsory health insurance special features apply The insurance of children Children are not co-insured with the compulsory health insurance if the spouse or non-marital permanent partner related to the children is not a member of a GKV and if his/her total monthly income regularly exceeds 1/12 of the federal yearly employee compensation limit of currently 4,125 Euros and regularly exceeds the total income of the GKV member. For employees covered by a comparable private insurance company since December 31, 2002 a yearly employee compensation limit of 3, Euros is effective. Detailed information can be obtained from the health insurance. Children no longer dependently insured due to the above mentioned exclusion rule can be insured voluntarily with the compulsory health insurance if the preceding insurance period has been met. The preceding insurance period has been fulfilled when the child itself or the parent from whom the family insurance is derived can show a preceding insurance period of 12 months and/or 24 months within five years The self-employed secondary employment It has to be determined on a case by case basis whether a self-employed secondary employment is concerned. A full-time self-employment is assumed when the economic relevance and the time required exceed other employments. However, if a person is working at least 20 hours/week in a dependent employment and the remuneration for 2011 exceeds 1, Euros per month it is assumed that there is not enough time left for a full-time selfemployed activity. However, if the monthly income from the self-employment exceeds the remuneration on a regular basis the assessment will be different. The evaluation of the fulltime self-employment will be done on an individual basis by the health insurance The self-employed secondary employment of students As a general rule, students up to their 25 th year of age are co-insured free of charge if their parents are members of a compulsory health insurance. The insurance coverage is extended
123 123 for the duration of the military or community service respectively. After passing this age limit, students can take out their own compulsory health insurance and pay minor contributions to the student health insurance. This economical option however is no longer available, if a student is over 30 years of age or has completed 14 semesters. This regulation also applies if a student enters into contributory employment or full-time self-employment. In case a monthly income of a self-employed part-time work of more than 365 Euros is earned a family insurance is no longer possible. Then it is useful to join the favourable student insurance. Here the amount of the income earned has no influence on the contribution payment. This is also possible for students under the age of 25. However, the self-employed activity next to the studies entails an examination of the full-time self-employed activity. In case a full-time self-employed activity is determined, the student can only insure himself voluntarily under consideration of all his earnings. The possibility of the favourable student insurance no longer applies. A dependent employment carried out next to the studies exceeding 20 hours per week, or a term of two months and/or 50 working days within one year is liable to insurance deductions. This does not apply if the employment is restricted to the semester breaks. In individual cases insurance-exemption is also possible if the weekly working time exceeds 20 hours. Details should be discussed with the respective insurance prior to the start of the employment. As there are no exact legal regulations the assessment by the social insurance carriers is done predominantly by trend-setting judgements of the social courts. For fictitious selfemployment and self-employment with one customer only please see sections 5.3 and Private health insurance The claim for benefits of those insured with a private health insurance (PKV) is individually defined in the insurance terms and conditions. Therefore, a legally guaranteed or regulated claim for benefits does not exist. Contrary to the GKV privately insured can only claim the reimbursement of expenses and appear themselves as contractual partners of the care providers (doctors and hospitals etc.). Depending on the insurance company there might be a possibility to transfer a title to insurance benefits to a third party (e.g. for hospital treatment). The contribution calculation is based solely on individual factors such as age, professional risk and existing illnesses. If applicable, family members must be insured additionally. The income is not considered. Insured persons receiving sickness daily allowance must continue to pay their monthly health insurance contribution. Note: As a rule, self-employed persons cannot return to compulsory health insurance. Only unemployment and the receipt of benefits from the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) justify a new membership in the compulsory health insurance. Another possibility would be a renewed contributory employment. For persons aged 55 or older it is in the majority of cases impossible to return to the compulsory health insurance even if they start a contributory employment or receive unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld I or II. Provided that no income or income of not more than 365 Euros from a part-time self-employed activity is achieved a return to the compulsory health insurance via family insurance might be possible for this older group of persons. In case someone has been insured privately and has to change to the compulsory health insurance due to the start of an occupation liable to insurance deductions the private insurance can be terminated within one month with retroactive effect to the start of the compulsory coverage. There will be no temporary double payment.
124 The base rate The scope of benefits in this rate is comparable to the benefits of the compulsory health insurance in kind, volume and amount. The costs for (further) treatment of already existing illnesses will be taken over in the base rate starting with the inception date of insurance cover. There will be no waiting period. The treatment of the insured in the base rate is guaranteed by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians/Dentists. The base rate provides for an admission obligation. This means the insurance companies cannot refuse anyone wanting to insure with this rate. Risk premiums or exclusion of benefits are not allowed in this rate. The maximum contribution is regulated by law and calculated from the general contribution rate (15.5 per cent) multiplied by the contribution assessment ceiling (3, Euros). The general additional contribution of the compulsory health insurance (2011: 0 Euros) will be added. This amounts to Euros. For persons in need for financial help the individual contribution will be halved for the duration of the need for help on presentation of a proof. Already privately insured persons whose insurance contracts have been concluded before January 1, 2009 can also change to the base rate. Subject to certain conditions especially after one s 55 th birthday, as pensioner or in case of financial need for help private insured persons whose contracts have been concluded before January 1, 2009 can also change to the base rate of their insurance companies. It is recommended to seek advice from the respective private insurance. 5.5 Nursing care insurance Nursing care insurance is meant as a support for persons in need of nursing care. Insurance benefits include nursing care at home and as in-patient. Applications can be made with the nursing care/health insurance company of the insured. Contributions amount to a federally standardized rate of 1.95 per cent of gross wages. For childless members the contribution increases by 0.25 per cent. Exempt from this regulation are insured persons, who have not yet completed their 23 rd year of life, or who were born before January 1, This supplement has to be paid solely by the employee. Thus the contribution no longer amounts to per cent but per cent of the gross salary subject to social insurance contributions. The contribution assessment ceiling of the compulsory health insurance applies Compulsory coverage As a rule, all members of the compulsory health insurance are subject to compulsory coverage in the nursing care insurance. This includes voluntary and private insured persons, pensioners and students. These groups, however, have the option to apply for exemption within three months, if proof of an applicable private insurance can be furnished. Thus voluntary insured persons setting up in business can choose between a private and the compulsory nursing care insurance. Note: Persons terminating their compulsory nursing care insurance cannot become member again when self-employed. The compulsory nursing care insurance co-insures spouses and children free of charge. Private insurance companies, on the other hand, impose an additional contribution for spouses. Children however, are insured free of charge as well. 5.6 Pension insurance The pension insurance is based essentially on two pillars: the compulsory social security systems (compulsory pension insurance, pension schemes (Versorgungswerke), the Artists
125 125 Social Welfare Fund, agricultural pension scheme) and private retirement provisions which are partly government-funded. For the majority of the population benefits from the statutory social security systems constitute the most important source of income in their old age. Everyone employed as employee is insured with the compulsory pension insurance. Selfemployed persons always have to provide for their old age self-responsibly. Exceptions will be described in the following section. However, for many self-employed the statutory pension is an important building block Statutory insurance for self-employed with the statutory social security systems According to law, certain occupational groups are subject to compulsory pension insurance. This is based on different statutory provisions like for example the Code for Social Law (SGB VI), the social security law for artists or the compulsory membership in a professional chamber. Occupational groups subject to compulsory pension insurance are: 1. Entrepreneurs in agriculture and forestry (see 5.3) 2. Persons subject to a mandatory membership in a professional chamber for freelance professions are often also mandatory members in a pension scheme. The first contact person for this group of persons is therefore the corresponding professional pension scheme. Included are amongst others doctors, architects, lawyers, pharmacists, engineers and tax consultants. 3. Artists and publicists according to the provisions of the social security law for artists (see 5.3) Included are amongst others journalists, painters, actors, musicians, music teachers, designers, graphic designers, writers. 4. Teachers and educators who do not employ employees subject to compulsory insurance deductions in connection with their self-employed activity.* Included are amongst others lecturers, fitness trainers, dancing and tennis instructors, child minders. 5. Nursing professionals taking care of hospital patients, mothers following childbirth, infants and children, if they provide their services largely upon a doctor s advice and do not employ employees subject to compulsory insurance deductions in connection with their self-employed activity.* Included are amongst others physiotherapists. 6. Midwives and obstetric nurses. 7. Nautic pilots (Seelotsen) in estuaries defined by the law concerning nautic pilots. 8. Persons in the field of coastal shipping or inshore fishing belonging to the crew of their vehicle or working as inshore fishers without their own vehicle not employing more than four employees subject to compulsory insurance deductions. 9. For craftspeople operating a craft liable for registration according to Annex A of the Handicrafts Regulation Act the following applies: For individual enterprises a compulsory insurance for the registered craftsperson applies. For commercial partnerships the compulsory insurance applies for all partners who in their own person fulfil the requirements for registration in the register of
126 126 craftsmen (e.g. the examination for the master craftman s certificate). The other partners are not subject to pension insurance contributions. There is no compulsory pension insurance coverage for partners of capital companies Furthermore there is no compulsory coverage for entrepreneurs in the field of license-free crafts (Annex B1) as well as craft-like trades (Annex B2). Note: Self-employed craftspeople can be exempt from the compulsory coverage if compulsory contributions have been paid for them for at least 18 years. This includes contribution periods from dependent employment. The insured will be automatically informed about the possibility of exemption before the expiration of the term by the insurance company. 10. Workers from home, homeworkers and intermediaries For the compulsory coverage and/or exemption from compulsory coverage of workers from home, homeworkers and intermediaries see 5.3. For the following group of people a compulsory coverage in the pension insurance due to the order situation applies: 11. Self-employed persons who do not employ employees subject to compulsory insurance deductions in connection with their self-employed activity* and whose services are mainly employed by one single client. This regulation also applies for socalled one-person partnerships like the GmbH and the Limited partnership. For this group there are two possibilities to be exempt from compulsory coverage when starting self-employment: Persons setting up their own business can obtain a temporary exemption from compulsory pension insurance for the duration of three years after the first start of their self-employment upon application. Problems may however occur concerning the entitlement to a pension due to reduced working capacity as precondition for a pension due to reduced working capacity are compulsory contributions for the duration of three years in the last five years. In order to keep the acquired expectancies a gap of up to two years would be irrelevant. Persons above the age of 58 who have been self-employed and are now liable to insurance deductions can be exempt permanently from the compulsory coverage upon application. * In case several persons with a remuneration of less than 400 Euros are employed, the sums will be added up. Example: if two employees earn together 401 Euros this would comply with an employment subject to social insurance contributions. In this case there will be no compulsory coverage of the self-employed Contribution Self-employed persons liable to insurance deductions have to report within three months after starting their self-employment with the pension insurance. Violations against the notification requirement can be punished as administrative offense with an administrative fine. Self-employed persons liable to pension insurance deductions have two variants to choose from: Without income statement Standard contribution ( Euros West / Euros East)
127 127 During the first three years of self-employment 50 per cent of the standard contribution rate ( Euros West / Euros East) is possible. With income statement Contribution calculation based on income Has to be applied for by the person setting up business Contribution rate 19.9 per cent Rate ceiling is the maximum contribution (1, Euros on a federal level) Explanation regarding the operand: The amount of the monthly contribution is assessed according to the average remuneration in the pension insurance (reference figure). Reference figure: Standard contribution: 50 per cent of the Standard contribution: 2,555 Euros (West)/2,240 Euros (East) Euros (West)/ Euros (East) Euros (West)/ Euros (East). Upon proof of an earned income deviating from the reference figure (or 50 per cent of the reference figure) this income forms the basis for the calculation of the contributions e.g. the contribution rate amounts to 19.9 per cent of the proven income Earned occupational income is defined as profit from self-employed activities according to the general regulations for the determination of profits covering income tax Multiple insurance If a compulsory insured self-employed person is at the same time a salaried employee, this leads to multiple insurance amounting up to the contribution assessment ceiling. That is to say that the compulsory pension insurance applies for the self-employed activity as well as the activity as employee Self-employed secondary activity A self-employed secondary activity causing compulsory coverage on its merits (see 5.6.1) remains exempt from pension insurance as far as a minor self-employed activity is concerned. This is the case if the employment remuneration does not exceed 400 Euros per month (at national level). Self-employed secondary activities practiced over a period of not more than two months or 50 working days within one year, are also exempt from pension insurance. If several secondary activities (which are liable to insurance deduction on their merits) are practiced, these have to be added up. In case the above mentioned limits of marginal self-employment are exceeded, the self-employed is subject to compulsory pension insurance Voluntary insurance with the compulsory pension insurance The majority of self-employed is not liable to contributions to one of the social security systems. Nevertheless, an insurance with the compulsory pension insurance can be a useful building block for the retirement provisions. Prior to setting up their own business a majority contributed as employees to the compulsory pension insurance. First of all it should therefore be determined, whether an entitlement to a pension already exists. This is the case after a membership of five years.
128 128 Even if this timelimit has not yet been exceeded by the hitherto contributions to the pension insurance, the minimum membership can be achieved by payment of voluntary contributions and thus a pension claim be ensured. Persons abandoning this option who have not been members of the compulsory pension insurance for five years receive their contributions upon application after achieving the official retirement age (currently 65 years of age; as of 2012 gradual increase to 67). The voluntary insurance can be started and terminated any time. Furthermore, the contribution to be paid can be determined by the insured person. Contributions have to be paid from one earned income up to the assessment ceiling at most. From this, the maximum contribution will be derived. The minimum contribution is determined federally on the basis of 400 Euros. Minimum amount: Euros per month (at national level) Maximum amount: 1, Euros (at national level) Assessment ceiling: 5,500 Euros The voluntary insurance has to be applied for by March 31 of the year following the business set-up. To what extend and in what manner a voluntary continued insurance should be applied for by a person setting up in business, has to be determined individually Compulsory insurance upon application Self-employed persons can file an application to be accepted in the compulsory pension insurance in case they are not already liable to insurance deductions. Thus they are provided with the same coverage as self-employed persons subject to compulsory insurance. The application has to be filed within five years after setting up in business. However, once the application has been filed a withdrawal of the application is not possible and the entrepreneur remains compulsory insured for the duration of the self-employment Supplementary income for persons receiving pension Recipients of a pension may earn an additional income without restrictions as of the official retirement age (currently 65 years). There will be no reduction of the pension payment. However, due to the income from the self-employed activity the favourably-priced coverage in the compulsory health insurance might no longer be applicable. Under circumstances only a voluntary insurance is possible which however would imply higher contributions as all income such as rent will be taken into account. In case of an early retirement pension only an additional income of 400 Euros is possible up to the official retirement age (currently 65 years of age) as the pension payment would be reduced otherwise. This also applies for handicapped persons receiving retirement pension from an earlier date (for example from the age of 60). For persons receiving the maximum pension for reduced earning capacity only an additional income of 400 Euros is recommended as the pension might be cut otherwise. In case of a partial pension due to reduced earning capacity a higher additional income is permissible. However, the income limit has to be calculated individually depending on the entitlement to a pension by the pension insurance company. The additional income of 400 Euros applies for income from a self-employed activity as well as for income from a dependent activity.
129 Vocational disability and reduced earning capacity In addition to retirement pension coverage against vocational disability should be considered. Due to health reasons more and more people are no longer able to work up to the official retirement age. In most cases the compulsory pension insurance will only provide for reduced earning capacity protection. A vocational disability implies that it is no longer possible to work in a vocation reasonable to one s qualifications. The full reduced earning capacity implies that it is not possible to carry out an activity (regardless of the qualification) for more than 3 hours a day. Coverage by private vocational disability insurance is therefore strongly recommended. The coverage of the compulsory pension for reduced earning capacity might not be sufficient to make a living. Therefore it is recommended to conclude an additional private coverage even if coverage by the compulsory pension insurance for reduced earning capacity exists Pension for reduced earning capacity of the compulsory pension insurance Persons born after January 1, 1961 do not receive pension due to vocational disability. They do, however, have a claim for pension for reduced earning capacity. For self-employed this claim can only be maintained by payment of compulsory contributions. This implies a compulsory insurance due to job description or the compulsory coverage upon application. The maximum pension for reduced earning capacity will be paid if one is only able to work less than three hours daily. A partial pension for reduced earning capacity will be paid if one is able to work more than three but less than six hours a day. In case of unemployment the full pension for reduced earning capacity will be paid. Those able to work more than six hours a day do not receive pension for reduced earning capacity. Specifics apply for persons born before January 2, They enjoy an occupation protection and receive half of the retirement pay when they are able to work less than six hours in their acquired profession or a comparable profession Coverage by voluntary contributions Continued voluntary insurance to cover reduced earning capacity is only useful if contributions for at least 60 months have been paid until the end of 1983 and if every month since January 1984 is covered and documented according to pension law. For the assessment of time periods as of January 1, 1994 years of study (up to a maximum period of time of 8 years), vocational training, unemployment, illness, pregnancy, parental leave, etc. are taken into account. If time periods cannot be verified in this manner, the insurance claim of a pension due to reduced earning capacity cannot be maintained by voluntary insurance contributions. Persons setting up their own business should contact the information centres of the pension insurance (see ) to clarify whether a continued insurance insofar as it is not compulsory required is useful.
130 Government-sponsored retirement provision Private retirement provisions are becoming more and more important as a second pillar. In many cases compulsory protection will not be sufficient and has to be supplemented by private provisions. Government sponsored retirement provisions are supposed to be a balance to the decreasing retirement level in the future. Private provisions are a complex topic. Therefore this brochure will only introduce the two government-sponsored products. It is recommended to contact the information centres and help lines of pension insurance institutions or private providers directly. In individual cases consumer protection offices also offer advice Base pension (Rürup-pension) The so-called Rürup pension is offered by private providers and financial service providers in form of a life annuity pension. The Rürup pension is a private pension insurance comparable to compulsory pension with the following features: Payout only in form of a personal lifetime pension starting with the age of 60 at the earliest, Lump-sum option and hypothecation not possible, Occupational disablement insurance and surviving dependants insurance can be included for an additional charge, No setoff against protected property in case of receipt of unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld II No distraint possible during the savings accumulation period, access by creditors only with the start of pension payments Promotion not in form of direct supplementary bonuses but in form of tax advantages No mandatory premium level; as a matter of principle flexible payments during the contract period are possible (not offered by all contractual partners). The contributions paid for the Rürup pension can be deducted in the tax declaration as incidential expenditures. The Rürup pension is recommended especially for self-employed persons as base provision as well as for employees with a high tax burden. For families with children and average wage earners a company pension or the Riester pension would be better options. Self-employed compulsory insured with the pension insurance should balance the pros and cons to the Riester pension Riester pension The so-called Riester pension is a supplementary private provision for the old age promoted by the government with supplementary allowances and tax advantages. The government aid can be obtained by the following persons: Self-employed persons compulsory insured with the pension insurance Employees Persons on parental leave (in the first three years) Persons doing military service or community service Nursing staff not working on a commercial basis
131 131 Recipients of earning-replacement benefits (sickness benefit, unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld I and II) Marginally employed with a 400 Euros job supplementing up to the full pension insurance contribution. Not qualified for promotion are: Self-employed persons not compulsory insured with the compulsory pension insurance Persons compulsory insured with a professional pension scheme (e.g. doctors, lawyers) Voluntary insured. Note: Spouses of preferential persons can obtain the government promotion if they conclude a contract in their own name. Example: In case the spouse is compulsory insured as employee with the compulsory pension insurance her self-employed husband with private pension provisions can also obtain the promotion if both conclude a corresponding contract. The law does not stipulate certain forms of provisions. However, certain criteria are determined which have to be fulfilled for a government aid which means that only contracts with a certification will be promoted by the government. However, the certificate is not a seal of quality. It does not attest that a product is profitable and safe. Primarily private pension insurances, saving schemes and regular savings plans investing in funds are suitable as private provisions for old-age. They can be concluded with life insurance companies, banks or financial service providers. A company pension scheme is also eligible if it is carried out in form of a direct insurance, pension schemes or occupational pension funds. A certification for these company pension schemes is not mandatory. Due to the fact that contributions to government promoted old-age provisions are tax-free the taxation will be effected with the payout. The government aid consists of directly paid supplements independent of the income and of allowances due to deductions of special expenses in the income tax declaration. The allowances can only be obtained when the expenses for old-age provisions reach a certain amount (contributions plus allowances). In case the own contribution is lower, the allowances will be reduced accordingly. The expenses necessary for old-age provisions in 2011 amount to 4 per cent of the gross income of the previous year. The base allowance amounts to 154 Euros, the allowance for children 185 Euros per child (300 Euros for children born as of 2008). The Riester products are exempt from distraint and will not be offset against protected property when receiving unemployment benefit Arbeitslosengeld II. Further information: Hotline of the Zulagenstelle (department for allowances) Phone Information to both products can also be found in the internet:
132 Addresses Deutsche Rentenversicherung Bayern Süd Thomas-Dehler-Str. 3 Viktualienmarkt München München Phone phone Kohlbruck 5c Maximilianstraße Passau Regensburg Phone phone Deutsche Rentenversicherung Nordbayern Wittelsbacherring 11 Friedenstraße 12/ Bayreuth Würzburg Phone phone Bamberger Str. 15 Maximilianstr. 1b Coburg Aschaffenburg Phone phone Richard-Wagner-Platz Nuremberg Phone Deutsche Rentenversicherung Schwaben Dieselstraße Augsburg Phone Compulsory accident insurance Compulsory accident insurance covers the entrepreneur s liability, if employees suffer an injury to health while carrying on the insured activities. Employees therefore do not have a direct claim against their employer but against the statutory accident insurance carrier. Generally, these are the Employer s Liability Insurance Associations (Berufsgenossenschaften). Contributions have to be paid by the entrepreneurs of the relevant line of industry. There are nine industrial Employer s Liability Insurance Associations as well as the associations for agriculture and horticulture, all organized according to different lines of industry (see 6.1). The registered office of the union of the German statutory accident insurance Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung DGUV is in Berlin. Further information to questions regarding membership and the liability to contributions by companies and self-employed can be obtained on the internet, the BG-infoline and by . The appropriate employer s liability insurance association will also give advice regarding questions of occupational safety and health protection. Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung e.v. DGUV Mittelstraße 51, Berlin phone , fax
133 133 Landesverband Südost (Bavaria, Saxony) Am Knie 8, Munich phone , fax Compulsory registration when setting up a commercial business The formation of a commercial business has to be reported to the responsible city or town administration. The regional association of institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention forwards a copy of the trade registration to the appropriate Employer s Liability Insurance Association. This association then determines if there is a liability to contribution. Contributions are then imposed at the end of the calendar year, in which they are applicable. In case a company consists of various branches of industry (company as a whole), the Employer s Liability Insurance Association of the main branch of industry is responsible. In practice, the notification is effected with the trade registration to the regional association of institutions for statutory accident insurance and prevention. Nevertheless the entrepreneur has to provide the appropriate association with the following information within one week after setting up in business: kind and purpose of the business number of persons insured starting date of the business By registering the business on time, the entrepreneur can avoid later supplementary contribution claims as contributions can be claimed retroactively for four years after the end of the calendar year, in which they were due. Note: Freelancers may possibly be compulsory insured by an employers liability insurance association even if they do not employ employees Occurence of event insured Typical occurrences of events insured are: Work accidents Accidents en route Occupational diseases according to the regulation for occupational diseases Upon the occurrence of the event insured against, the employer s liability insurance associations provide the following: Benefits for medical rehabilitation Benefits for the participation in working life Livelihood maintenance and other supplementary benefits Nursing care or nursing allowance Pension payments to insured persons or surviving dependents
134 134 Due to the fact that the insurance benefits will only be provided in case of occurrence of a loss in connection with the employment, the conclusion of a private accident insurance for leisure time might be recommendable Group of persons insured The group of persons insured includes generally all employees, all persons currently in vocational training or advanced training as well as entrepreneurs insured according to the articles of their employer s liability insurance association or entrepreneurs, who have voluntarily joined the accident insurance Notification of insured event The entrepreneur is obliged to make a notification in the following cases: Occurrence of a work accident or an accident en route with inability to work for more than three days or with fatal consequences. Occurrence of an occupational disease (also upon suspicion) The notification has to be made on special forms (accident notification forms) available from the employer s liability insurance association, their homepage or in stationary shops Insurance of the entrepreneur The insurance coverage of the entrepreneur himself is regulated by the statutes of the relevant employer s liability insurance association. Some entrepreneurs are subject to a socalled statutory entrepreneurial insurance. An exemption is only possible under certain conditions. To which lines of industry this compulsory entrepreneurial insurance applies can be learned from the directory of the Accident Prevention & Insurance Associations in section 6.1. The Accident Prevention & Insurance Associations marked with a * stipulate a compulsory membership. All other entrepreneurs have the possibility of a voluntary insurance. This is recommended especially for persons setting up in business. Relatively low contributions guarantee substantial insurance coverage, which cannot always be provided by private insurers. Insured persons receiving injury compensation after a work accident have the option to re-join the compulsory pension insurance by payment of compulsory contributions (compulsory insurance upon application). This possibility of a compulsory insurance upon application is usually only possible within five years after withdrawal of the compulsory pension insurance. Voluntarily insured persons have the advantage some exceptions not considered of determining the amount to be insured themselves within the lower and upper limits regardless of their actually earned income. However, the amount insured should be in relation to the actual income. For the commercial employer s liability insurance associations the maximum annual earnings amount to between 62,400 and 84,000 Euros depending on the carrier. In case of an inability to work due to a work accident, this translates to injury benefits of about 138 to 186 Euros daily. Under certain conditions injury benefits might only be paid after a waiting period defined in the statutes of the appropriate employer s liability insurance association. An injury pension is paid, if the ability to work is impaired by at least 20 per cent for more than 26 weeks after the work accident. In the agricultural accident insurance this entitlement
135 135 to a pension starts with an impairment of the earning ability of 30 per cent. If the sum insured amounts to 84,000 Euros and in case of a complete inability to work (100 per cent), the insured person will receive 4,666 Euros monthly. Just like commercial entrepreneurs, free-lancers also have the option of voluntary insurance. The institution responsible for free-lancers is in most cases the administrative employer s liability insurance association (Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft). Businesspersons should contact the appropriate employer s liability insurance association (see 6.1). To join, a written application has to be filed with the appropriate employer s liability insurance. Verwaltungs-Berufsgenossenschaft Deelbögenkamp 4, Hamburg Phone Fax Workers from home and intermediaries Workers from home and intermediaries as well as spouses active in the enterprise are subject to the insurance. The same applies for agricultural entrepreneurs and small coastal shipping and inshore fishing businesses Contribution payment The employer s liability insurance associations impose their contributions upon completion of the calendar year. Contribution calculations are based on the remuneration of the insured as well as on the class of risk, determined according to the number and severity of accidents of a branch of industry. New hires or dismissals do not have to be reported during the contribution year immediately. Instead the employer s liability insurance association requests indication of the total payroll (payroll statements) upon completion of the year. In individual cases, the employer s liability insurance association can also carry out inspections by checking remuneration records. 5.8 Unemployment insurance The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) in Nuremberg is the carrier of the unemployment insurance. The mandate of the agency is to avoid or eliminate unemployment by means of active labour market policy. Insofar as this cannot be achieved the unemployment insurance is meant to support employees concerned during the period of unemployment financially. As financial support in case of entitlement to benefits various remuneration compensations like unemployment benefits are granted. Under the given circumstances (unemployment, availability) a person is entitled to unemployment benefit if the qualifying period is met. This is the case when the claimant was employed and subject to compulsory insurance for at least 12 months within the last two years before the indication of unemployment resp. if he has been insured voluntarily as self-employed. Periods of military or community service are included in the calculation. In case a self-employment started out of unemployment a possibly still existing entitlement to unemployment benefit can be claimed within four years. The four-year period starts with the first day of completion of the qualifying period for unemployment benefit and not with the day of setting-up in business. As a rule, all workers and employees employed for remuneration are subject to compulsory unemployment insurance. Contributions are calculated from the monthly gross remuneration received by the employee. The current contribution amounts to 3 per cent, half of which is paid by the employee and the other half by the employer. Contributions are paid up to the income threshold of the pension insurance. For the year 2011, this threshold amounts to 5,500 Euros (West) / 4,800 Euros (East). Considering the rate of 1.5 per cent, employer and
136 136 employee each have to pay not more than Euros (West) / 72 Euros (East) per month. Contributions to the unemployment insurance are imposed by the responsible health insurance. The entitlement period of unemployment benefit is equated variably. The entitlement period for an employment liable to insurance deductions varies as follows: - 12 months employment = 6 months entitlement - 16 months employment = 8 months entitlement - 20 months employment = 10 months entitlement - 24 months employment = 12 months entitlement - 30 months employment = 15 months entitlement, however only after completion of the age of months employment = 18 months entitlement however only after completion of the age of months employment = 24 months entitlement however only after completion of the age of Unemployment insurance upon application Persons setting up in business can insure themselves against unemployment if the selfemployed occupation is carried out at least 15 hours per week. However, a compulsory insurance upon application is only possible if the applicant has been subject to compulsory insurance for at least 12 months within the last 24 months before starting self-employment or in case he received corresponding remuneration compensation. Furthermore no other compulsory coverage may exist. The so-called compulsory coverage upon application starts with the day of receipt at the unemployment agency as far as the preconditions mentioned are given. The request has to be filed within the first three months after setting up in business at the latest. Those entering an insurance agreement upon application as new member as of January 1, 2011 can tender notice of cancellation after five years with a notice period of three months. The insurance ends when the self-employed receives remuneration compensation, gives up self-employment or if he is more than three months behind schedule with the payment of contributions. The amount of the contribution to be paid is calculated according to a reference figure of currently 2,550 Euros (West Germany) and 2,240 Euros (East Germany). For self-employed 50 per cent of the reference figure is taken as a basis and of this 3 per cent are calculated. This results in a contribution of Euro (West Germany) and Euro (East Germany). In case of unemployment the assessment of the unemployment benefit is calculated hypothetically which means as a lump-sum payment according to the qualification of the claimant. The unemployment benefit is based on the following daily rates: West Germany East Germany - Unskilled worker Euro Euro - Skilled worker Euro Euro - Technician and/or master craftsman Euro Euro - University graduate Euro Euro
137 137 A renewed entitlement exists for the first time after payment of contributions to the unemployment insurance for 12 months. See 5.8 regarding further qualifying periods Employment of family members In case it is planned to employ family members in the business a status determination is recommended. Which activities will be carried out by the family member? Will the family member carry out functions usually carried out by the owner of a business (e.g. personnel decisions, investments, representation of the owner)? In this case it might be possible that in case of unemployment caused by bankruptcy the unemployment agency will not pay unemployment benefit. The entitlement to unemployment benefit may not be applicable even so contributions to the unemployment insurance have been paid for many years. A possible activity as co-entrepreneur may even be determined by the fact that the family member has not only executed influence on the business operations but also participated in success and failure of the business. 5.9 Continued-pay-insurance Continued-pay-insurance is a compulsory insurance for employers who regularly employ not more than 30 persons. Has an employer more than one company, the number of employees has to be added up. Coverage is registered with the health insurance companies, the employee are insured in. For private insured persons, the health insurance receiving the pension- and unemployment insurance contributions is responsible. For marginally employed the responsibility lies with the Minijob-Zentrale. This insurance is supposed to reduce the economic risk faced by small businesses due to possible continued pay in case of illness. As a matter of principle companies are compensated 80 per cent of their expenses. The statutes of the respective health insurance can provide for a reimbursement rate below 80 per cent or various reimbursement rates. The employer has to pay an allocation amount depending on the remuneration of his employees and the respective reimbursement rate. Compensation is granted from the first day employees receive continued pay. Possible claims should be clarified as soon as possible with the appropriate health insurance. When determining the number of employees, all employees are included regardless of their legal insurance status or health insurance membership. Not included are: employees in vocational training (trainees and interns) employees currently doing their military or community service employees in early retirement severely handicapped persons and persons of the same status For part-time employees inclusion depends on the regular weekly working time: up to 10 hours weekly with the factor 0.25 more than 10 and up to 20 hours weekly: employees are included with the factor 0.5 more than 20 and up to 30 hours weekly: employees are included with the factor 0.75 more than 30 hours weekly: employees are included with the factor 1. The determination of compulsory insurance is effected upon opening of the business and is valid only until the end of the year. It is re-determined at the beginning of each calendar year.
138 The social security funds (Sozialkassen) Collective agreements in many industrial sectors require a compulsory insurance of employees in the Zentrale Versorgungskasse, ZVK (pension fund) and/or Sozialkassen (social security funds). Thus, any business which can be broadly classified as a construction business for example might be covered by collective agreements. Whether a business can be classified as a construction business, is regulated in 1 of the collective agreement on social security fund proceedings (Sozialkassenverfahren, VTV). This collective agreement covers businesses practicing construction work as defined by the VTV for more than 50 percent of their total operational working hours. The VTV also covers independent, nonconstruction departments of construction businesses, if they are not covered by a different collective agreement. Thus all main construction trade companies are covered by the social security fund SOKA- Bau (e.g. bricklayers, composition floor layers, dry mortarless construction), while secondary contract work like gardening, landscape construction, painters, roofers, scaffolders are covered by different social security funds. It is of particular importance to be classified as a member of the appropriate central pension fund since contribution rates and benefits vary greatly. Details should be discussed with the social security funds Company registration number for employees (see also ) The person setting up in business resp. the employer requires a so-called company registration number (Betriebsnummer) as soon as one person (independent of the remuneration) is employed. This applies also for marginally employed and apprentices. The company registration number is an important organisation feature in the reporting process for the social insurance system. The company registration number is assigned by the company number service of the German Federal Labour Market Authority (Betriebsnummern-Service der Bundesagentur für Arbeit). Independent of the number of employees only one company registration number is allocated per company. This company registration number serves only for work and profession research and has to be communicated to the health insurance for the social insurance.
139 Income thresholds Limiting values West Germany 2011 Limiting values East Germany 2011 Income thresholds Pension/unemployment insurance Income thresholds Pension/unemployment insurance Year Month 66,000 Euros 5,500 Euros Year Month Yearly remuneration limit Health/nursing care insurance Year (1*) Monthly average Year (2*) Monthly average Limit for marginal employment per month Pension insurance contribution Unemployment insurance contribution Health insurance contribution of the compulsory health insurance General contribution reduced contribution 49,500 Euros 4,125 Euros 44,550 Euros 3, Euros 400 Euros 19.9 per cent 3 per cent 15.5 per cent 14.9 per cent Yearly remuneration limit Health/nursing care insurance Year (1*) Monthly average Year (2*) Monthly average Limit for marginal employment per month Pension insurance contribution Unemployment insurance contribution Health insurance contribution of the compulsory health insurance General contribution reduced contribution 57,600 Euros 4,800 Euros 49,500 Euros 4,125Euros 44,550 Euros 3,712,50 Euros 400 Euros 19.9 per cent 3 percent 15.5 per cent 14.9 per cent Nursing care insurance 1.95 per cent Nursing care insurance 1.95 per cent Nursing care insurance for childless members from the age of per cent Nursing care insurance for childless members from the age of per cent Additional contribution of the insured to the health insurance 0.9 per cent Additional contribution of the insured to the health insurance 0.9 cent (1*) In case the annual income exceeds the indicated amount, the employee can choose between a voluntarily continued insurance with the compulsory health insurance or a private health insurance in case the annual income of the last year also exceeded the respective limiting amount. (2*) This annual income limit is used as a basis for calculating the relevant health insurance contribution..
140 140 6 Appendix 6.1 Addresses of industrial employers liability insurance associations Further information also in the internet under *) Compulsory insurance for entrepreneurs of all kinds of businesses subject to the competence of the employers liability insurance associations. **) For these employers liability insurance associations a compulsory insurance for entrepreneurs according to the respective provisions of articles applies. Under certain preconditions an exemption of membership for some of the employers liability insurance associations exists. 1) Compulsory insurance for entrepreneurs of businesses belonging to the leather industry. 2) Compulsory insurance for entrepreneurs of businesses belonging to the textile industry (manufacturing and processing), media products (including production of graphic work, graphic design, industrial and freelance photographer). 3) Compulsory insurance for entrepreneurs of businesses subject to the responsibility of the employer s liability insurance association transport. 4) Compulsory insured entrepreneurs are e.g. podiatrists, physiotherapists, massagers, day care nurses, professional custodians, operators of out-patient nursing services,
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