Can the costs of tax advisors vary depending on the topic of consultation?
August 18, 2023 | 65,00 EUR | answered by Petra Lehmann
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Theodor Halbscheffel and I am currently dealing with the topic of tax advisor costs. I have heard that the costs can vary depending on the consultation topic and I am therefore somewhat uncertain.
As background information, I would like to mention that I am self-employed and have always done my tax returns myself so far. Due to the increasing complexity of my business activities, I am now considering involving a tax advisor. However, I also want to keep an eye on the costs and not pay more than necessary.
My concern is that I might end up paying too much for the consultation if the costs do indeed vary depending on the consultation topic. Therefore, I wonder if it is possible to estimate in advance how high the costs for consulting on a specific topic could be. Are there any guidelines or indicators that could help me better assess the costs?
I would be very grateful if you could answer this question for me and possibly also provide tips on how to keep the costs for tax advice as low as possible. Thank you in advance for your help.
Kind regards,
Theodor Halbscheffel
Dear Mr. Halbscheffel,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the costs of tax advisors. It is understandable that you are concerned about how high the costs for the consultation could be, especially since you have been doing your tax return yourself so far and are now considering involving a tax advisor. I am happy to provide you with some information and tips that can help you better estimate the costs and keep them as low as possible.
First of all, it is important to know that the costs for tax advisory services can indeed vary depending on the consultation topic and the scope of services. There are different fee arrangements that can be made between you and the tax advisor. Tax advisors are often billed according to the Tax Consultancy Fees Regulation (StBVV). This regulation determines the amount of compensation for various services, such as preparing the tax return, financial accounting, preparing financial statements, or tax advice.
To estimate in advance how high the costs for consultation on a specific topic could be, I recommend that you reach a clear fee agreement with your tax advisor beforehand. In a personal conversation, you can discuss your concerns and together determine which services should be provided and how billing should be done. Your tax advisor can usually then give you a cost estimate or a rough calculation of the expected costs.
To keep the costs of tax advisory services as low as possible, I recommend that you come well prepared to the consultation appointment and have all relevant documents and information ready. The better prepared you are, the more efficiently your tax advisor can work, and generally the lower the costs will be. Additionally, you should inform yourself in advance about which services you actually need and which services are optional. This way, you can selectively choose which services you want to use and save costs.
Finally, I would advise you not to let costs be the only factor guiding your decision, but also consider the quality and expertise of the tax advisor. A good tax advisor can not only help you save costs but also maximize potential tax benefits.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am happy to answer any further questions you may have.
Best regards,
Petra Lehmann
