I was in technical sales and had a great salary of around €50,000 net. Now I'm self-employed and earn less, but I now have more freedom, can plan and implement things myself, am not accountable to anyone and don't have to crawl up anyone's a.... grovel. Simply more freedom. I've learned that the money that ends up in your account on time doesn't make you happy. Imagine working hard at a company and then it simply closes (I've seen this happen to many of my friends). You have to ask yourself what is more important to you. Earning a lot of money or not so much...
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@BoersePG super interesting! That's one of my plans for the distant future, perhaps to try it out independently with university colleagues. So it's good to hear that this decision was a good one, and I hope it will stay that way. Then good luck to you ;)
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•@domibangbang well, I have tried many things and am now in my 6th year as a self-employed person. I'd be lying if I said it was/is always easy... ...I recently read the following in an article and it's 100% true for me Work is more fun when you work independently, with more freedom or on your own. These days I earn less than I did during my previous years, but I enjoy it more. No meetings that I have to attend. No employee evaluations, no worrying about being in the office on time or leaving early. You often have to work harder, but it doesn't feel like work - because it's a self-chosen decision and you do it out of passion. PS: you're also better off tax-wise as a self-employed person. 😉
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@BoersePG I think that's great! Self-employment is also my long-term goal and I can totally relate to what you've written. What area is your work in and could you explain how self-employed people are better off from a tax perspective? Thank you very much! ☺️
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@BoersePG I'll never understand why people state their salary in net terms. It depends very much on the tax class. One person pays less tax each month and has to pay extra on their tax return and the other pays more tax at the end of the month and gets a big back payment at the end of the year. Only the gross amount plays a role and is comparable.
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•@keinStress In your opinion, is the gross salary in Austria comparable to the gross salary in Germany? (13th & 14th salary) It is actually better to calculate if you know what is effectively left over. e.g. you get a big bonus in May, but the 14th salary is almost €0. If I calculate the bonus and the 14 salary gross together, it distorts the picture and I think wow, so much, but no, this part is missing over the year. That's why I always calculate after tax.
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@Investora I work in the catering industry. The main advantage is that you can buy things that you can also use "privately" with pre-taxed money. e.g. cell phone, laptop, etc. can be tax deductible. Things you need anyway. I also order my things tax-free via Amazon Business, for example, both professionally and privately. In Austria, for example, you can buy an e-car with input tax deduction and the private journeys are included and you don't need to keep a logbook. It also depends on which structure you have, e.g. OG or GmbH. With the OG you pay the progressive tax rate with the GmbH from next year only 23%. etc...
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@BoersePG It doesn't matter how many salaries there are. Everyone here states their annual salary anyway. 13 and 14 salaries are included. Of course, it is difficult to make comparisons when different countries come into play. For example, the Swiss generally state their net salary, but do not mention that they have not yet paid any taxes or contributions, because these are only deducted at the end of the year for the Swiss. Then there are those who have tax class 3, but do not say how much less their partner earns by choosing tax class 5 and how much they have to pay back to the tax office at the end of the year.
In my opinion, what is only comparable is what is stated on the income tax assessment notice issued at the end of the year and only for tax class 4. For tax class 5, the additional payment and the worse position of the partner would have to be deducted.
In my opinion, what is only comparable is what is stated on the income tax assessment notice issued at the end of the year and only for tax class 4. For tax class 5, the additional payment and the worse position of the partner would have to be deducted.
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