What is a GbR?
A GbR (Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts) is a civil-law partnership under §§ 705 et seq. of the German Civil Code (BGB). In a GbR, two or more individuals join together to pursue a shared purpose. These individuals are called partners (Gesellschafter). They may contribute, for example, money, assets, rights, or their own labor to the partnership. The partners' rights and obligations, as well as, for instance, the distribution of profits and losses, can be set out in a partnership agreement (Gesellschaftsvertrag).
A GbR also has to fulfil tax obligations and file the corresponding tax returns. Unless it is required to determine its profit through double-entry bookkeeping (Bilanzierung), profit can generally be determined using a cash-basis profit and loss statement (Einnahmenüberschussrechnung, EÜR). In addition, a separate and uniform determination return (gesonderte und einheitliche Feststellungserklärung) generally has to be filed. This determines the income jointly earned by the GbR and attributes it to the individual partners. If the partners are natural persons, their respective share of the profit is then subject to income tax. A GbR carrying out a commercial (trade) activity can also be liable for trade tax itself. If the GbR generates VAT-taxable turnover, VAT generally applies as well.
How to use Accountable?
Accountable can be used for your GbR. However, there are a few limitations for this use case. You can use the app for most of your company tax obligations:
Create, customize, and edit sales invoices
Encode your expenses and see tax deductibility impact in real time
Follow your cash flow in real time
Prepare automatically and file your VAT pre-submissions, as well as the yearly VAT statement
Prepare automatically and file your yearly EÜR
For the yearly income tax return: the income statement and EÜR is available in the app, based on which you can easily prepare your income tax return.
Our support team is available to help you and answer your questions.
If you prefer to rely on a professional accountant to cover your tax obligations, it's possible to use Accountable alongside with your preferred tax advisor. Alternatively, you can also use the services of our partner tax advisors.
For your annual income tax return: the profit and loss account is available in the application, on the basis of which you can easily prepare your income tax return with your accountant.
Recap of your tax obligations
Please take into account the accounting and tax obligations that are managed or not in Accountable:
Tax obligations | Available in Accountable |
VAT presubmissions | ✅ |
Annual VAT return | ✅ |
Annual Profit & Loss statement (EÜR) | ✅ |
Trade tax | ✅ |
Company tax return | ❌ |
Double entry bookkeeping | ❌ |
Annual balance sheets | ❌ |
Private income tax submission | ❌ |
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions, we are here to help you.