Tax advisers in Cologne

Cologne applies a trade tax multiplier (Hebesatz) of 475 % in 2026. A sole proprietor with €50,000 trade income pays (€50,000 − €24,500 allowance) × 3.5 % × 475 % = €4,239.38. Under § 35 EStG four times the tax base is credited against income tax, so about €669.38 remains as an extra cost.

Tax advisers with their practice in Cologne are members of the Steuerberaterkammer Köln. Under § 73(1) StBerG the responsible chamber is the one in whose district the adviser has their professional practice. Membership can be checked in the official register of the Federal Chamber of Tax Advisers.

This directory lists 74 tax practices and tax advisory firms in Cologne, each checked against the legal notice on its own website. It is a curated selection, not a complete list; the official register of the Federal Chamber of Tax Advisers contains every appointed tax adviser.

Yes. 11 firms in Cologne state on their own website that they also advise in English. Use the language filter above the list to show only these firms, then confirm the consultation language when you get in touch.

Fees are set nationwide by the Remuneration Ordinance (StBVV), so the same rules apply in Cologne as everywhere in Germany. The time fee is €16.50 to €41.00 per started quarter hour (§ 13 StBVV), and a consumer's first consultation costs at most €190.00 (§ 21 StBVV), plus VAT.

No. Freelancers with income from self-employment under § 18 EStG do not pay trade tax, in Cologne or anywhere else. Trade tax applies only to commercial businesses under § 2(1) GewStG, and sole proprietors and partnerships first deduct an allowance of €24,500 under § 11(1) GewStG.