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1 min readOur Winter Edition 2013/2014 – "The Magazine of Steffen & Partner"
This time on the topic of "Being Faster". Above all, we want to become faster ourselves – after all, our autumn edition was unintentionally cancelled. We were too busy… Read here about the experiences of holiday makers, as well as about a fashion designer who turned his hobby into a profession. Also a travel expenses special, employment references, liability of managing directors and much more.
PressFirm MagazineSource: Deubner Verlag- 1 min read
Inheritance Tax Act: Interim Legal Protection Pending Review of Constitutionality
In one case, the BFH suspended enforcement of the inheritance tax assessment by order of 21 November 2013 until the Federal Constitutional Court has ruled in proceedings 1 BvL 21/12. The decisive factor was that the BFH had already submitted the provision deemed unconstitutional to the Federal Constitutional Court for review of its constitutionality, and in this case there was a legitimate interest in being granted interim legal protection. A legitimate interest exists at least whenever the taxpayer, lacking liquid assets from the inheritance such as cash, must use their own assets to pay the assessed inheritance tax, or sell or encumber acquired assets.
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Conciliation Proceedings as Extraordinary Expenses for Income Tax Purposes
The Düsseldorf Tax Court considers conciliation proceedings to be a "preliminary stage" to civil litigation. The costs are therefore deemed unavoidable and, as with civil litigation costs, can be claimed as extraordinary expenses for income tax purposes regardless of the subject matter of the proceedings. However, an appeal of the ruling has been admitted to the BFH.
Source: Deubner Verlag - 2 min read
BFH: Property Developers No Longer Liable for VAT
The BFH ruling of 22 August 2013 ends the constant guesswork about whether a construction service rendered to a property developer should be invoiced with or without VAT, and whether the VAT liability shifts to the property developer as the recipient of the service.
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
VAT Rate for Breakfast Served to Hotel Guests
The reduced VAT rate of 7% instead of 19% applies to the letting of living and sleeping rooms that a business provides for the short-term accommodation of guests. Breakfast services are not included. The standard VAT rate of 19% applies to all breakfast services in any event, even where they form part of a hotel package.
Source: Deubner Verlag - 2 min read
Company events may cost more: Recent BFH ruling
New case law from the Bundesfinanzhof (BFH) dated 16 May 2013: Only those costs that objectively enrich the employee are to be included in the EUR 110.00 threshold. These are limited to benefits that the participating employee can directly consume, such as food, drinks or musical performances. The BFH also treats costs for accompanying family members more generously than before: only those costs directly attributable to the employee are to be allocated to them, not the costs attributable to attending spouses or partners.
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Gelangensbestätigung: New BMF Letter Grants a Little More Time
New BMF letter dated 16 September 2013: The deadline for introducing the new accounting and documentary evidence requirements for tax-exempt intra-Community supplies has been extended once again. According to the letter, it will not be objected to if
Source: Deubner Verlag 
1 min read"Family-Friendliness in Practice" — Article on the Bocholt Award for Family-Friendliness
The conclusion drawn by this article, citing Hans Bernd Felken, board member of the Bündnis für Familie, is particularly important to us. Other entrepreneurs should also have the courage to put family-friendliness into practice — something many already do, which is far easier than many think, and to show it openly. Only in this way will it be possible to change today's working world. In view of the demographic change ahead, this is a major task and challenge. Read the article in the BBV here, in which we are mentioned as one of the four award winners.
PressSource: Deubner Verlag
1 min readFeature and Live Coverage: "The Bocholt Award for Family Friendliness"
WDR reported live on its Lokalzeit programme on 10 October 2013 at 7:30 p.m. from the presentation of the BAFF, the Bocholt Award for Family Friendliness. Earlier that afternoon, WDR produced a feature at our offices in Bocholt. Astrid Ritte, Steuerberaterin (German Certified Tax Advisor), head of the annual financial statements department and soon to be a mother of two, is interviewed here. In the evening, Anke Büker, partner, Steuerberaterin and mother within our group of companies, answers questions from presenter Eva Maria Schmelter in the live WDR broadcast. We hope you enjoy watching. You can find the full Lokalzeit programme here:
PressSource: Deubner Verlag
1 min readBAFF: "Bocholt Award for Family Friendliness"
The Steffen & Partner group was honoured with the BAFF award in the 20-80 employees category. BAFF stands for "Bocholter Auszeichnung für FamilienFreundlichkeit" (Bocholt Award for Family Friendliness). The award recognises both general family friendliness within a company and individual measures and projects that particularly promote family-friendly working conditions. It is initiated by the [Bündnis für Familie in Bocholt e.V.](http://www.buendnis-fuer-familie-in-bocholt.de/ "Bündnis für Familie in Bocholt") and, following its first presentation in 2011, was awarded for the second time. The award ceremony took place in a festive setting alongside the "Company of the Year" prize initiated by Stadtsparkasse Bocholt on 10 October 2013 at Hotel Residenz.
PressAwardsSource: Deubner Verlag- 1 min read
VAT Changes under the AmtshilfeRLUmsG: At a Glance
An overview of the areas in which VAT changes under the AmtshilfeRLUmsG must be observed: credit notes, supplies under § 13b UStG (reverse-charge procedure), travel services (§ 25 UStG), and the margin scheme (§ 25a UStG), along with the deadlines for B2B supplies by domestic businesses abroad and intra-Community supplies.
Source: Deubner Verlag 
1 min readOur Summer Edition 2013 – "The Magazine of Steffen & Partner"
Summer is the time to recharge. We hope you all had the chance to do so. Our "Moments of Experience" feature is dedicated to the lord of Wasserschloss Gartrop: Dr. Peter Blumrath. He has created an incomparable magic there – living history, a place that gives strength. We visit Frank and Simone Vennes, who furnished Schloss Gartrop with fabric concepts and textiles. We ask ourselves what the kings of the skies are up to – and their pilot: Dieter Stump and his company Airspace Solutions. We also visit A Modo Mio in Bocholt and the "J" in Hamminkeln – places and restaurants that provide recovery without the need for a long holiday. Our Rechtsanwälte (German Attorneys-at-Law) address the liability of managing directors as well as voluntary special payments. The Steuerberater (German Certified Tax Advisors) provide information on the entry certificate (Gelangensbestätigung) and the tax treatment of adult children. In summer, the banks in our "Banking Matters" section do as they please – and that is exactly what we asked of them: a topic of their choice. ENJOY
PressFirm MagazineSource: Deubner Verlag
2 min readOur Spring 2013 Edition – "The Magazine of Steffen & Partner"
It is spring 2013 – and in our firm's magazine, too, it is the "time to reinvent oneself". Topics include: an insight into the Rhiem Group. We also feature the special topic of inheritance and gifting, which is likewise addressed in our banking section together with Deutsche Bank Privat- und Geschäftskunden AG, Stadtsparkasse Bocholt (SPK) and Volksbank Bocholt eG (VB). Our Rechtsanwälte (German Attorneys-at-Law) cover the topics of company cars and home searches so that you can be well prepared. The topic of economic crime is important – our Wirtschaftsprüfer (German Statutory Auditors) explain why. Haus der Weine in Bocholt provides the right pairing for asparagus, Küchen Niehaus explains what a steam oven actually does, and for Garten Schwiening the garden is the new kitchen. In addition, we are top-rated Steuerberater (German Certified Tax Advisors), have published a number of specialist articles, and went on our company ski trip. Now we are back and wish you: ENJOY THE READ.
PressFirm MagazineSource: Deubner Verlag- 1 min read
Contributory Negligence for Not Wearing a Bicycle Helmet
In its judgment of 5 June 2013, the OLG Schleswig-Holstein ruled that a cyclist who collides with another road user behaving contrary to traffic rules in public road traffic and thereby suffers head injuries must, as a general rule, accept a degree of contributory negligence
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Criminal Defense Costs Not Deductible as Extraordinary Expenses
In its ruling of 16 April 2013 (Az.: IX R 5/12), the Bundesfinanzhof held that costs incurred by a person convicted of an intentional offense for their criminal defense are not deductible as
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Medication for the Home Medicine Cabinet: Not Tax-Deductible Without a Prescription
Background: Self-paid medication and medical bills (own contribution) can be claimed for income tax purposes as so-called "außergewöhnliche Belastungen" (extraordinary expenses). However, a "reasonable personal burden" is always assumed, which depends on the total amount of income
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Supreme Court Ruling: Tax Office May Estimate Revenue if Cash Reports Are Inadequate
Background: Taxpayers who calculate their profit by means of a cash-basis income statement (Einnahmen-Überschussrechnung) under § 4 (3) EStG are generally not required to keep cash books. However, business revenue must still be verifiable at any time
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
No Compensation for Craftsman Services in Cases of Undeclared Cash Arrangements
In a recent ruling, the Higher Regional Court of Schleswig-Holstein has held that even a partial undeclared cash arrangement renders the entire contract void, meaning the craftsman cannot claim compensation for the services rendered
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
Much-debated childcare allowance now official
It is now official: Since 1 August 2013, parents in Germany have had a legal entitlement to a childcare place for children between two and three years of age. All
Source: Deubner Verlag - 1 min read
LAG Köln: Employee's Right to Part-Time Work Affirmed
In its judgment of 10 January 2013 (Az.: 7 Sa 766/12), the Landesarbeitsgericht Köln (Regional Labour Court of Cologne) granted a machine operator, who had previously worked full-time on a three-shift schedule, the right to part-time work. The plaintiff, a full-time shift worker,
Source: Deubner Verlag