Prinz.tax: International tax advice for US expats in Germany
If you're a US citizen or green card holder living in Germany, tax season comes with an extra layer of complexity. You’re not only required to file a German tax return, but also a US tax return, every single year. Both countries apply the worldwide income principle, meaning all of your global income must be reported.
Prinz.tax specialises in helping expats navigate this dual system with clarity and confidence.
Two tax systems, one global income: How it works
German tax law requires all tax residents to report their worldwide income, including income from foreign employment, investments, and rental properties.
US citizens and green card holders must file annual tax returns with the IRS, even when living abroad, and these returns must also include their worldwide income.
This means that your income often needs to be reported twice, but with the right guidance, that doesn’t mean you’ll pay tax twice.
Double taxation? Not if you do it right.
Thanks to the US–Germany Double Taxation Agreement (DTA), as well as mechanisms like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit, you can avoid being taxed twice on the same income.
However, the rules are complex, and each person’s situation is different. Coordinating both tax returns correctly is essential if you want to:
- Avoid double taxation
- Ensure compliance in both countries
- Minimise your overall tax burden
Preparing both declarations simultaneously helps make sure that both tax returns are consistent. This is where cross-border expertise makes a real difference.
Coordinating different systems
The US and German tax systems differ not only in what needs to be filed, but also in how the entire process works. For example:
- Filing deadlines in Germany are more flexible and often extended well beyond those in the US.
- All German tax declarations are instantly reviewed; there’s no routine audit process like in the US.
- In Germany, after receiving your tax assessment notice (Bescheid), you have one month to file an objection.
- Taxes in Germany are only paid (or refunded) after the official tax assessment, not at the time of filing.
- US citizens living abroad automatically receive a two-month filing extension (until June 15). An additional extension to October 15 is available, and in special cases, a further extension to December 15.
These differences can be confusing without expert guidance, especially when coordinating filings across both systems.
Prinz.tax: International tax advice
Prinz.tax supports international clients with cross-border tax matters, especially expats living in Germany. Their clients come from all over the world, and they are proud to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique tax needs of individuals who must juggle multiple jurisdictions.
To better assist their US clients, they've established a dedicated US desk, which offers seamless support for both German and US tax obligations, all coordinated and aligned from a single source.
Services that Prinz.tax offers include:
- Preparation of German income tax returns, including investment income, foreign pensions and other expat-related topics.
- Preparation of US federal and, if needed, state tax returns.
- Support with FBAR filings, FATCA compliance, and common expat forms such as Form 2555 and 1116.
With an integrated, bilingual approach, Prinz.tax helps ensure that your filings are consistent across borders, allowing you to remain fully compliant without overpaying in both Germany and the USA.
Why American expats trust Prinz.tax
- Cross-border expertise in German and US tax law
- Licensed tax advisors (Steuerberater & CPA)
- Clear communication in English
- Streamlined digital process – no paperwork, no office visits
- Transparent pricing with personal service
Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, freelancer or retiree, they offer German and US tax returns and additional tailored tax services.
Get started today with a free introduction
Prinz.tax believes international tax compliance shouldn’t be stressful. If you’re an American living in Germany and want a trusted tax advisor who understands both systems, they're here for you.
Visit Prinz.tax to book your free introduction.