Frequently asked questions about the firm
Switching, costs, documents, deadlines: here we answer in detail the six questions we're asked most often on the phone – so you know what to expect before your first appointment.
What clients want to know before the first appointment
Most calls to Georgstraße revolve around the same six points: switching from another advisor, the costs, the documents, the deadlines, digital handling, and who to call in case of doubt.
Getting started is smaller than most people think
Before the first booking, there's a conversation about your figures, your legal form, and the date on which we should take over. Only after that do you decide. What we need for this is manageable and most businesses already have it on hand anyway.
- Tax number, VAT identification number, and legal form
- Your most recent annual financial statement or tax return
- An overview of bank accounts, cash register, and current contracts
- For employers: number of employees and payroll cut-off date
The dates our year is built around
We work backwards from the statutory filing deadline and reach out in good time if we're still missing documents from you for a deadline.
Six questions, six answers
- How does a switch from my current tax advisor work? You terminate the existing engagement, and we take care of the rest. Once you give us the go-ahead, we request the documents from your previous advisor – bookkeeping data, the most recent annual financial statement, the fixed asset register, and open items. A switch typically happens at the start of a financial year or after the most recently completed financial statement, so that no data has to be split mid-period. However, a mid-year switch is also possible. We update your power of attorney with the tax office electronically, so that notices and correspondence are sent to us going forward.
- What does working with your firm cost? Fees are governed by the German Tax Advisor Fee Regulation (StBVV). Under this regulation, fees are not based on effort alone but on reference values – such as annual revenue for bookkeeping or the balance sheet total for annual financial statements – combined with a fee range within the statutory limits. For ongoing work such as financial and payroll accounting, we often agree on a flat fee, so you can count on a fixed monthly amount. We'll tell you what your case will cost after the initial consultation, once the scope and volume of documents are known. Details are available on the Costs page.
- Which documents do I need to gather? To get started, basic information and your most recent financial statement are enough: tax number, legal form, commercial register extract if available, your most recent tax return or balance sheet, and a list of your bank accounts. For ongoing bookkeeping, you'll also need monthly outgoing and incoming invoices, bank statements, cash reports, and receipts for entertainment expenses or vehicles. Employers additionally need employment contracts, health insurance assignments, and time records. You'll find a breakdown by client group on the Documents page.
- How do you make sure deadlines are met? We enter every deadline into our deadline calendar with an internal lead time, not just the statutory due date. If receipts are missing for a VAT advance return or the annual financial statement, we proactively reach out to you instead of waiting. For clients with tax advisory representation, the extended filing deadline under § 149 para. 3 AO applies – giving you significantly more time than the July 31 deadline. This is contingent on documents reaching us in time; we'll always let you know the required date in writing.
- Do I have to submit my receipts digitally? No, it's your choice. Many clients photograph or scan their receipts and upload them via a secure portal; the data is then stored on servers located in Germany and accessible to you at any time. The classic option of a physical folder also works – you can drop it off at Georgstraße 22 or send it to us. Mixed approaches are fine too – bank transactions digital, cash receipts on paper. What matters is that the receipts are complete, legible, and meet GoBD requirements.
- Who can I reach if I have an urgent question? You'll have a dedicated contact person who knows your case and doesn't need to be briefed anew each time you call. We can be reached by phone at +49 30 23125104 and by email at mail@kanzlei-berg.invalid. We generally respond to emails within one business day. If an audit order or a notice with a short appeal deadline arrives, call us – we prioritize such cases. Office appointments are scheduled in advance so you don't have to wait.
When mail arrives from the tax office
Notices, audit orders, and inquiries from the tax office have their own deadlines – for an appeal, it's one month after notification.
Once the power of attorney is on file with the tax office, notices also reach us and are checked for discrepancies against the filed return. If the notice deviates, we contact you before the appeal deadline runs out. If a letter reaches you first, a scan by e-mail is enough – with the date of notification, since the deadline depends on it.
- Scan the notice uncropped, including explanations and date
- For a tax audit: forward the order immediately, don't confirm the appointment on your own
- Don't ignore payment demands – suspension of enforcement requires a separate application
- Reminders and estimated assessments take priority over routine bookkeeping
No advice without a mandate
Read more in detail
We've created dedicated pages on costs, documents, and process, because the short answer rarely covers everything.
- Costs Wie sich die Vergütung nach StBVV zusammensetzt und wann eine monatliche Pauschale sinnvoll ist.
- Required documents Checklisten für Selbstständige, Handwerksbetriebe und kleine Unternehmen – einmalig und monatlich.
- How we work together Vom Erstgespräch über die Vollmacht bis zur ersten Auswertung: die Schritte im Detail.
- Initial consultation Was wir im ersten Termin besprechen und was Sie dazu mitbringen sollten.
- Guide Beiträge zu Buchführung, Lohn und Abschluss – verständlich für Nicht-Buchhalter.
- Hanover area Wo wir tätig sind und wie Sie unsere Kanzlei in der Georgstraße erreichen.
Let's talk about your plans
Briefly describe what it's about – Steuerkanzlei Berg will get back to you with an assessment.