Moving to Germany? Essential Tax Steps Every U.S. Expat Should Consider

This week on Gimme Some Truth, we're diving into German taxation — a topic that's seen major reform over the last decade and affects anyone already living in Germany or planning a move there. Tahlia and Stan break down what most people get wrong and why the rules are far more nuanced than they appear.

We cover why you can't just hand your 1099 to a German accountant and expect an easy euro conversion, how German capital gains tax actually works (it's not a flat 25%), why tax-lot accounting between the US and Germany creates major headaches, how cryptocurrency is treated differently, and the two separate "buckets" Germany uses for capital losses. We also walk through a real client scenario involving inherited US assets, German inheritance tax, and the shocking lack of a step-up in cost basis — plus the 2009 and 2018 tax reforms that changed everything for long-term investors. We close out with practical advice on when (and whether) to hire a German tax professional before you move.

If you're a US citizen living in Germany, considering a move there, or just want to understand how cross-border taxation actually works, this episode is packed with real-world detail you won't find in a quick Google search.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome back to Gimme Some Truth
00:13 – Why German tax law matters for expats and residents
00:39 – Meet Tahlia: why this topic hits close to home
01:17 – The biggest German tax changes of the last few years
01:40 – How Roth IRAs are treated (and not respected) in Germany
02:00 – Germany's real capital gains tax rate explained
04:29 – Why you can't just convert your 1099 to euros
04:44 – Tax lots, FIFO, and exchange rate headaches
06:04 – How Germany taxes cryptocurrency differently
06:17 – The two "buckets" for capital losses in Germany
07:34 – Real client scenario: inheriting US assets while living in Germany
09:11 – The shocking lack of step-up in basis under German tax law
10:57 – The 2009 and 2018 German tax reforms explained
13:35 – Should you hire a German tax attorney before you move?
15:34 – Why "mover beware" is the right mindset
16:03 – Inheritance tax and family planning across borders
17:33 – Final thoughts and how to get help

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