Tax, accounting, and operational guides for Germany

„Do I need a tax advisor?" is a question almost everyone asks when they go self-employed or form a GmbH in Germany. The short answer surprises many: no one is legally obliged to hire a Steuerberater.

The longer answer depends on your legal form, your time and how complex your finances are. A freelancer with a simple income-surplus calculation (EÜR) often needs none – a GmbH with annual accounts, foreign business and employees is usually better off with one.

In this article we clarify when a tax advisor is genuinely needed, when you can save the cost, and which third path works best for most self-employed people in 2026.