RKI_Berlin_Germany
The attached PDF is a living document. If you find any information to be incorrect or out of date, please update the guide and coversheet and re-upload to this website.
Many thanks.
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| RKI_Berlin_Germany_2011.doc | 203.5 KB |
Comments
Tax Tips
Hello,
- during your two year stay in Germany ask for "vermögenswirksame Leistung" (VL) at your employers office. It might not be available to you because of the special contract with ECDC, but if it is, your employer pays a little extra into a special savings account. Depending on your contribution you can build up a tiny financial cushion. It should be added that the money is only accessible after a grace period of ?? years. But nevertheless, you get a very good return since your employer chips in.
- you will have at least 6 modules which require you to travel to distant lands. You do get travel reimbursement and a per diem. However, the tax deductible per diem is (usually) higher than what you get back. The difference between "tax deductible per diem in country X" and "actually reimbursed per diem" can be deducted from your tax and hence lowers the income you have to pay taxes on. Details have to be worked out with a German friend/ tax accountant.
- you might travel to your home country during the two years or travel somewhere else privately. If you were visiting that place for a job related purpose, i.e. giving a talk at your former employer/ university, visiting a scientific conference or meeting with a potential employer for a job interview, you can deduct that visit (ticket&per diem) from your tax as well. Example: S travels to London to see her family. But she also has a job interview which she can prove with an invitation. Because her visit has a purpose related to her earning money and paying taxes, she can deduct it from her German tax. Should that job interview have been cancelled, she can still visit her family...
Good Luck,
Florian