Question 1

Do I still have to file taxes in my home country if I live in Germany?

Accepted Answer

It depends on nationality, residence ties and the income or assets that remain in the other country. Americans and green card holders generally continue filing US returns. Canadians may retain obligations through residence ties or Canadian-source income. British, Australian and New Zealand citizens can still have filing obligations for pensions, property income or capital gains. A conclusion requires the countries, tax years and underlying facts.

Question 2

What is FBAR and do I need to file one?

Accepted Answer

FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report, FinCEN 114) is a U.S. reporting requirement. It may be required for a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder when the combined value of reportable foreign financial accounts exceeds the applicable threshold. Penalties can be substantial and depend on the facts and whether a violation was non-wilful or wilful. German bank and brokerage accounts may count. Canadians have a separate T1135 regime with different conditions.

Question 3

How do I avoid paying tax on the same income in two countries?

Accepted Answer

Germany has double taxation agreements (Doppelbesteuerungsabkommen) with the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. For Americans, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion or Foreign Tax Credit may be relevant, subject to their separate conditions. For Canadians, the Canada-Germany treaty may provide credits or exemptions. The appropriate approach depends on residence, income type, treaty rules and the filing position in each country.

Question 4

What is a Totalization Agreement and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Totalization Agreements coordinate social-security coverage between countries and may prevent duplicate contributions when their conditions are met. A self-employed American in Germany needs a fact-specific review of U.S. self-employment tax, German coverage and the relevant certificate. Similar agreements exist with Canada, the UK, Australia and many other countries.

Question 5

Can you help with my German Steuererklärung in English?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can prepare defined German Einkommensteuererklärung (income tax return) and Umsatzsteuererklärung (VAT return, if applicable) matters within an agreed engagement, with communication in English. We can also review specific Finanzamt correspondence and, where agreed and authorised, respond on your behalf and track the relevant deadlines.

Question 6

I'm Canadian — does Germany tax my RRSP or TFSA?

Accepted Answer

Germany generally taxes RRSP withdrawals as income. The TFSA is not recognized as tax-free in Germany, so earnings may be taxable. The Canada-Germany treaty provides some protections, but the rules are complex. We help Canadian expats understand how their registered accounts are treated and optimize their position across both countries.

Question 7

What is KSK (Künstlersozialkasse)?

Accepted Answer

KSK is Germany's social security system for self-employed artists and publicists. If you qualify, KSK participation generally means that the insured person and the artists' social insurance contribution share the costs of health, pension and care insurance. Eligibility depends on the activity, income and personal circumstances, and is not automatic for every expat.

Question 8

What happens if I haven't filed taxes for several years?

Accepted Answer

Do not assume the outcome before reviewing the facts. Eligible U.S. taxpayers may use the Streamlined Filing Compliance Procedures, while German late-filing penalties and Canadian voluntary-disclosure rules depend on the circumstances. We review the years, notices, income and account reporting before recommending a catch-up route.

Question 9

Can you help with visa renewal documents?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For a freelance residence-permit renewal, we can prepare a defined net-profit statement (Nettogewinnermittlung) and supporting tax and income documents based on your records and the authority's request. Licensed lawyers on the team can separately handle defined German residence-permit matters when needed.

Question 10

What are your pricing and payment terms?

Accepted Answer

We do not offer fixed time packages or standard service tiers. We first assess the countries, tax years, filings, documents, deadlines, complexity and requested deliverables, then provide an individual fee range and confirm the final flat fee in writing before substantive work begins. The proposal also confirms the applicable payment terms.

Question 11

Can you prepare Australian and German tax returns if I live in Germany?

Accepted Answer

TWO.TAX can assess and, where accepted in a written engagement, prepare Australian individual and German filings in English. Which returns are due depends on tax residence, income types, time periods and records.

Question 12

Can you prepare New Zealand and German tax returns if I live in Germany?

Accepted Answer

TWO.TAX can assess and, where accepted in a written engagement, prepare New Zealand individual and German filings in English. The returns required depend on tax residence, income types, periods and records.

Question 13

Can you help with a German citizenship or naturalisation application?

Accepted Answer

Licensed lawyers on the TWO.TAX team may handle defined German citizenship or naturalisation matters where accepted. Eligibility and evidence requirements depend on the individual facts and current law. The competent authority decides the application; approval is not guaranteed.

Question 14

What is a German double tax treaty analysis (DBA-Prüfung)?

Accepted Answer

It is a fact-specific review of how domestic tax rules and a relevant double tax agreement apply to defined countries, residence, income and periods. It may address allocation of taxing rights or relief, but cannot promise that no double tax will arise.

Question 15

Can TWO.TAX prepare a tax review report or Prüfungsbericht?

Accepted Answer

Where accepted, TWO.TAX can prepare a defined tax review report based on supplied records and an agreed purpose. It is not a statutory auditor's audit opinion, certification or assurance, and does not replace a formally required statutory audit.

Question 16

Who is TWO.TAX?

Accepted Answer

TWO.TAX is the English-speaking cross-border tax brand of TWOTAX GROUP. We work on defined matters involving Germany and another country, including tax filings, treaty questions, Finanzamt correspondence and income evidence for residence permits. Our Legal Notice explains the professional framework.

Question 17

Who is the founder of TWO.TAX and what are his qualifications?

Accepted Answer

TWO.TAX was founded by Dr. Alexander Klaus Gorny, who leads defined cross-border tax mandates involving German and international matters.

Question 18

How is TWO.TAX structured for German tax work?

Accepted Answer

Steuerbee & Partner is the cooperating German professional unit for matters that require one. The responsible professionals and services are identified before work begins. See our Legal Notice for the professional framework.

Question 19

How does TWO.TAX collect and publish client feedback?

Accepted Answer

Trustpilot displayed a TrustScore of 4.5 out of 5 from 17 reviews on 2 October 2026. Visit the independent profile for the current score and all published reviews. Reviews are published independently on Trustpilot. Positive and critical feedback are welcome; clients should not include confidential tax or financial information.

Cross-Border Tax for Expats in Germany — Frequently Asked Questions

US citizens

German tax system

Finanzamt letters & visa

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