German Tax Report FAQ
Q: Is the German Tax Report also provided in German language?
A: No, it is currently only provided in English.
Q: What do the numbers in brackets mean?
A: The numbers in brackets are negative numbers and represent losses. Numbers without brackets are positive and represent profits.
However, this should not be confused with acquisition cost. That number is negative but written without brackets since it is a cost and not profit/loss.
Q: Does the report apply the EUR 20.000 derivative loss limit?
A: As stated on line 24 the losses from trading in derivatives are included in lines 18-19, with lines 18-19 showing the net effect after losses have been offset. The full amount of the derivative losses are shown in line 24. No consideration is given to the EUR 20 000 derivative loss limit within the report as the tax authorities apply this limit ex officio to losses from all sources and maintain their own loss records.
Q: Why do Line 18 and 19 not add up in the report?
A: Sum of Lines 18-19 is not supposed to reconcile to the sum of Lines 20-25. This is because Lines 18-19 relate to all income, but Lines 20-25 relate only to trading income. Accordingly, Account interest not subjected to German withholding tax and Dividends not subjected to German withholding tax are included in Line 18-19, but excludes from Lines 20-25.
Q: Why does my option is shown as profit, even though it is not closed yet?
A: Granting of an option for a premium gives rise to an immediate charge to German tax as income. There is no cost at this point and the charge is on the full amount of the premium received. Unlike equities, the subsequent exercise, sale or lapse of the option does not impact the tax position on its grant. If the grantor closes out their position, the full amount of the premium paid on the closing option is a loss in the year that it was paid.
Q: Why are the numbers for profit and loss in the Activity Statement different from the German Tax Report?
A: This is one of the known issues where customers should not be comparing the Activity Statement and German Tax Report. The German Tax Report is prepared based on a different methodology than that of the Activity Statement.
Reasons the report may be different is due to the FX conversion method and tax-lot-method being used.
The reporting methodology is explained in the Explanatory Notes section at the end of the report. The report is provided for information purpose to the client and is not filed with the authorities. The client may choose to report differently when filing their income tax return with the tax authorities.
Q: Why do I get the same report for both of my accounts?
A: The reports are created on a client basis. A consolidated report is created for all accounts.
Publishing these reports usually starts at the end of summer of the following year and reports are published in several batches, therefore it can take a few months before it is available.
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