Dear Tax Talk,
I am a U.S. citizen and my company has agreed to allow me to work abroad in Germany for three months. So I will be earning a salary in U.S. currency, and will be paid by my U.S.-based company while abroad. I am concerned that I will be taxed by both the U.S. and Germany while working there. Is this true, and if so, what might be the best way to mitigate double taxation?
-- John
Dear John,
While the dollar isn't what it used to be, the tax laws are. As a U.S. citizen, you'll always be a U.S. taxpayer no matter where you work. There is a tax treaty between the U.S. and Germany that may prevent German taxation for your short stint.
Tax treaties reduce the U.S. taxes of residents of foreign countries. With certain exceptions, they do not reduce the U.S. taxes of U.S. citizens or residents. U.S. citizens and residents are subject to U.S. income tax on their worldwide income.
Treaty provisions generally are reciprocal (applicable to both treaty countries); therefore, a U.S. citizen or resident who receives income from a treaty country may find that a treaty might affect the tax to be paid to that foreign country. Foreign taxing authorities sometimes require certification from the U.S. government that an applicant filed an income tax return as a U.S. citizen or resident, as part of the proof of entitlement to the treaty benefits. Form 8802 is used for certification procedures.
Under the German treaty, you'll be excused from paying German taxes under the following conditions:
When are you excluded from German taxes?
- You are in Germany for no more than 183 days during the calendar year.
- The salary is paid by, or on behalf of, an employer who is not a resident of Germany.
- The salary is not borne by a permanent establishment that the employer has in Germany.
Because it doesn't sound like the U.S. employer will be charging your salary to its affiliate in Germany, (i.e., the cost is not borne by the German branch) you should not be subject to income taxes in Germany.
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