Let the German bank account owner try to figure that one out. He could first of all ask his bank for free.
Be warned that the bank might be not amused when that account got opened under false pretenses (see http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/shopping/banking/opening-bank-account/index_en.htm ) Then he can go to the local tax office and ask there for free. And if you want to be super-safe, hire a lawyer (best bet). My guess is the following: since the EU makes these efforts for harmonizing business between EU countries it is OK to open a business bank account<http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1083972719&type=RESOURCES>in Germany (or any other EU country). But you have to tell the bank and negotiate with them because there are different conditions depending on the bank account and business type. In case of businesses there are additional conditions that require you to proof that your business is valid. Since your business is not located in Germany, and having your business at a real German address is a requirement for running a German business, I'm pretty sure that you do not have to pay German taxes. But that can be definitely cleared up by asking the local German tax office and / or a lawyer. If the situation turns out to be too cumbersome you may consider opening a business bank account in the UK for example<http://www.bba.org.uk/customer/article/bank-account-access-in-the-uk-for-non-residents/banking-abroad/> . Or you could found a subsidiary company in another EU country. There are at least efforts for eliminating double-taxation<http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/taxation/company_tax/parents-subsidiary_directive/index_en.htm#elim>. However, usually you need a real business address (not just a PO box). If you are considering that option, don't found your company in Germany. It is possible, but the laws and requirements there are a total pain in the backside for small businesses. While googling around I found a website that says they help companies abroad with founding a UK based LLC and they serve as a proxy for<http://www.sfsgo.com/nonukclientinfo.asp>getting you a real business address and local representatives. I'm not sure how shady that business is (it certainly looks fishy to me). But anyway, in the past 10 years or so, UK was pretty popular for setting up companies from abroad. For some time the only thing you needed was an address there. I think due to heavy abuse they made things a bit stricter in the meanwhile. On Friday, July 20, 2012 11:02:06 AM UTC-5, kaciula wrote: > > The entire business is located in Romania (which is in EU). Only the bank > account is in Germany and the owner is a regular guy who lives in Germany. > And the account is a Giro account at the Baden Wurtembergische Bank. > > Basically, we'd like from time to time to transfer the money from the > German bank account to our Romanian bank account and to pay all our taxes > in Romania and not bother at all with Germany. However, we don't know if > maybe the German bank raises some flags to the local authorities because of > the money transfers from Google Checkout to the German bank account. > > Thanks for the help > > On Friday, July 20, 2012 2:39:01 PM UTC+3, superpsycho wrote: >> >> I´m a german dev-beginner and i can tell you, our taxsystem is as complex >> as hell... >> I think you have a german giro-account right? So the way i would go is to >> contact the local depatment of taxes where your bank is located. They might >> help you much better than any dev because the whole thing depends on the >> location of your business... If you have your business in germany you have >> to pay full taxes at all... if you are located in EU you might have to pay >> "Mehrwertsteuer" in germany but your countrydepending taxes (to YOUR >> country) for the business.. If you locate the business in not EU countrys >> you have to pay duty and so on and so on... so if you like to tell me which >> institute you use i´m able to tell you witch departemnt you have to call. >> >> Have a great day! >> >> Am Donnerstag, 19. Juli 2012 14:09:04 UTC+2 schrieb kaciula: >>> >>> Is anyone here a developer who sells Android apps via Google Checkout >>> and is located in Germany? >>> >>> I need some basic info regarding the tax system in Germany. I am a Sole >>> Trader located in Romania and, in order to sell Android apps, I've linked >>> my Google Checkout with a German bank account owned by someone else. I've >>> started making some money and I have no clue if I should declare something >>> in Germany or pay my taxes in Romania etc. Any help would be much >>> appreciated. >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to android-developers@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to android-developers+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
