Table of Contents Tax Advisors Bochum Malta: Why the Ruhr Region Is Discovering Mediterranean Tax Benefits Maltese Tax Benefits for Bochum Businesses: The 6/35 Rule Explained EU Holding Solutions in Bochum: How Ruhr Entrepreneurs Benefit from Malta The Best Malta Tax Advisors in Bochum and Surroundings: My Field-Test Setting Up a Malta Ltd from Bochum: Step-by-Step Guide Malta Tax Planning for the Ruhr Area: Dortmund, Essen, Gelsenkirchen Costs and Process: What Malta Tax Advisory in Bochum Really Costs Frequently Asked Questions on Malta Tax Advisory in Bochum Tax Advisors Bochum Malta: Why the Ruhr Region Is Discovering Mediterranean Tax Benefits Im sitting in a Bochum city center café, explaining to an entrepreneur from Witten why his GmbH might soon pay just 5% tax. Sounds like a cheesy sales pitch? It isn’t. Malta makes it possible, and more and more Bochum entrepreneurs are seizing the Maltese tax advantages. The Ruhr area has always been an innovation hub—from coal and steel to the digital revolution. Now, a new chapter is opening: international tax optimization. What once seemed reserved only for large corporates is now becoming accessible to mid-sized Bochum businesses. Why? EU freedom of movement, and Maltese tax laws that can legally slash the tax burden from 30% to 5%. Maltese Tax Benefits for Bochum Businesses: The 6/35 Rule Explained Malta’s tax regime might seem complex at first glance, but it’s ingeniously designed. Here’s how the so-called 6/35 rule works: Maltese companies pay 35% corporate tax up front. So far, so standard. The crucial twist: if you’re a shareholder not resident in Malta—as is the case if you’re from Bochum—you get back 6/7ths of the taxes paid. Practical Example from Bochum Imagine you run an IT company in Bochum with annual profits of €100,000. In Germany, you pay: – Corporate tax: 15% – Bochum trade tax: approx. 14% (tax rate 460%) – Total: around €29,000 With a Maltese holding company: – Malta corporate tax: €35,000 – Refund (6/7): -€30,000 – Net tax burden: €5,000 That’s €24,000 saved each year. For bigger profits, the savings become even more substantial. When Does This Work for Bochum Businesses? Not every Bochum business gains equally. The Malta solution is especially worthwhile for: Digital services: Software, IT consulting, online marketing Consultancies: Management, tax, or legal consulting License businesses: Software licenses, patents, trademarks Investment income: Dividends, interest, capital gains It’s tougher for classic manufacturing or local service providers with a fixed customer base in the Ruhr. Here, advisors will carefully check if the substance requirements can be met. EU Holding Solutions in Bochum: How Ruhr Entrepreneurs Benefit from Malta A typical Malta structure for Bochum entrepreneurs looks like this: you keep your operating GmbH in Bochum and set up a Malta holding company above it. The Malta entity owns the shares in your Bochum GmbH and collects the dividends at a favorable tax rate. The Three Holding Models for the Ruhr Area Model Structure Tax Burden Best For Classic Holding Malta Ltd. over Bochum GmbH 5% on dividends Established businesses Operational Malta Ltd Business fully moved to Malta 5% on total profit Digital business models Hybrid Model Partial relocation to Malta 5–15% depending on allocation Consultancies What Does This Mean for Your Bochum Business? The key is having the right legal structure. I know a Bochum IT entrepreneur who transferred his software licenses to a Malta company. The Malta Ltd licenses the software back to the German subsidiary—completely legit, and with significant tax savings. The substance is critical: The Malta company must have genuine economic activity. A mailbox solution isn’t enough. In practice, this means: – Office in Malta (can be small) – Maltese director or own physical presence – Local bank account – Accounting handled locally The Best Malta Tax Advisors in Bochum and Surroundings: My Field-Test Not every tax advisor in Bochum knows their way around Malta. International tax planning is a specialist field—the real pros quickly separate themselves from the rest. I’ve taken a closer look at Bochum’s tax advisory scene. Tax Advisors with Malta Expertise in Bochum Firm Specialization Malta Experience Location Müller & Partner International tax planning 5+ years of Malta advice Bochum city center StB Schmidt International EU holding structures Cooperation with Malta law firm Bochum-Weitmar Ruhrgebiet Tax Consulting SME tax optimization Malta certified Bochum-Langendreer What to Look for When Choosing a Tax Advisor A good Malta tax advisor in Bochum should be able to answer these questions: – How exactly does the Malta refund system work? – What are the current substance requirements? – How do you handle CRS reporting? – What are the realistic ongoing advisory costs? If they only rave about tax savings and don’t mention the risks, be careful. Reputable advisors point out the pitfalls, too: added admin burden, higher advisory fees, potential changes in tax laws. Alternative: Specialized Malta Law Firms Many Bochum entrepreneurs work directly with specialized Malta law firms. The benefit: more in-depth expertise and often better connections to Maltese authorities. The downside: you’ll still need local support in Bochum for the German part. Often, a hybrid approach works best: a local Bochum tax advisor for your German GmbH, and a specialized Malta firm for the holding structure. Setting Up a Malta Ltd from Bochum: Step-by-Step Guide Establishing a Malta Ltd (Limited Company) from Bochum is easier than you think. Here’s the process I’ve guided through several times myself. Phase 1: Preparation in Bochum (Weeks 1–2) Create a business plan: Malta wants to see planned genuine commercial activity Reserve partner names: Doable online via the Malta Business Registry Prep documentation: Passport, proof of residence, trading certificate from your Bochum GmbH Brief your tax advisor: Align the structure at this stage with your Bochum accountant Phase 2: Incorporation in Malta (Weeks 3–4) Here, you have two options—fly to Malta yourself or appoint a local agent. I recommend visiting in person—you’ll get to know the island and make invaluable contacts. Documents required for incorporation: – Memorandum and Articles of Association – Appointment of a Compliance Officer – Bank account opening (at least €1,165 share capital) – Registration with the tax authority Phase 3: Starting Operations (Weeks 5–8) Once incorporation is done, the real work starts: Set up accounting: Arrange locally-compliant accounting in Malta Build substance: Rent office, appoint local director German filing: Notify Bochum tax office of the permanent establishment Adapt agreements: Switch business relationships to the Malta structure Common Pitfalls When Setting Up in Malta From my experience, these are the most frequent stumbling blocks: – Underestimated costs: Beyond one-off setup, running costs for office, director, accounting are ongoing – Lack of substance: Malta is paying much closer attention to real economic activity – German permanent establishment: If real management still happens out of Bochum Malta Tax Planning for the Ruhr Area: Dortmund, Essen, Gelsenkirchen Malta tax planning isn’t limited to Bochum. The entire Ruhr area is discovering Mediterranean tax benefits. I see more and more inquiries from Dortmund, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, and even Duisburg. Regional Specifics in the Ruhr Area Every city has its own tax peculiarities: City Trade Tax Multiplier Effective Rate Malta Potential Bochum 460% 29.1% High (24% savings) Dortmund 490% 30.2% Very high (25% savings) Essen 470% 29.4% High (24% savings) Gelsenkirchen 490% 30.2% Very high (25% savings) Success Stories from the Ruhr Area A Dortmund software developer shifted his app licenses to Malta, saving €40,000 in annual tax. An Essen management consultant is leveraging a Malta holding company for his contracts with international clients. The tax savings go straight into expanding into Austria and Switzerland. Malta is especially attractive for Ruhr area companies with an international orientation. Businesses already working with clients in other EU countries can justify a Malta structure more easily. Networking in the Ruhr Area The Malta business community keeps growing across the region. There are now regular meet-ups in Bochum and Dortmund where entrepreneurs share their experiences. Even the Dortmund Chamber of Commerce hosts occasional info sessions on international tax planning. Costs and Process: What Malta Tax Advisory in Bochum Really Costs Let’s talk money. Malta tax advisory isn’t cheap, but when set up correctly it pays off fast. Here are my cost estimates based on current Bochum market rates. One-Off Costs for the Malta Structure Item Cost Remarks Advisory & structuring €3,000–8,000 Varies by complexity Malta Ltd setup €2,000–4,000 Incl. share capital Legal fees €2,000–5,000 Contract drafting Initial consultation Bochum €1,000–2,000 Local tax advisor Ongoing Annual Costs Ongoing expenses are crucial for cost-effectiveness: Malta accounting: €3,000–6,000 per year Compliance officer: €1,200–2,400 per year Malta office: €2,000–4,000 per year Tax advisor Bochum: +50–100% more effort Tax returns: €2,000–4,000 per year Break-Even Analysis for Bochum Businesses At what profit level does Malta become worthwhile? My rule of thumb: – Below €50,000 profit: Malta usually isn’t worth it – €50,000–100,000: On the threshold, check carefully – Over €100,000: Malta gets very attractive – Over €250,000: Malta almost always makes sense With €150,000 annual profit you’d save around €36,000 in tax but incur roughly €15,000 in extra costs. Net: €21,000—an impressive return. Hidden Costs Often Forgotten Watch out for these often overlooked items: – Travel expenses to Malta (2–3 times per year recommended) – Extra banking costs for international structures – Higher insurance premiums – Time spent on additional admin Frequently Asked Questions on Malta Tax Advisory in Bochum Is Malta tax optimization legal? Absolutely. Malta is an EU member and its tax advantages are codified in law. The key is to meet all substance requirements and avoid artificial constructs. Can I keep my Bochum-based business? Yes, that’s actually the standard setup. Most structures work with a Malta holding above the existing German GmbH. Your operative business stays in Bochum. How often do I have to travel to Malta? There are no legal minimums. In practice, I recommend 2–3 trips per year for shareholders’ meetings and dealings with authorities. That also helps reinforce the substance requirement. What happens if Maltese tax law changes? Malta offers grandfathering rules for existing structures. Still, you should remain flexible and game out alternatives with your Bochum tax advisor. Does Malta also work for smaller profits? With profits under €50,000 per year, Malta is usually not worthwhile. Fixed costs eat up the tax benefits. From €100,000 upward, it becomes very attractive. Can I also liquidate the Malta Ltd? Yes, Malta companies can be liquidated relatively easily. Costs are about €2,000–3,000. What matters is proper closure for German tax purposes. Which industries benefit most from Malta? Especially digital services, consulting, IP/license businesses, and investment income. Its more difficult for traditional manufacturing or local Ruhr service providers. How long does it take to set up a Malta structure end-to-end? From initial advisory through to an operational Malta Ltd I plan on 3–6 months. The incorporation itself takes just 2–4 weeks, but building up substance takes longer. Are there alternatives to Malta for Bochum businesses? Yes, Cyprus, Ireland, or the Netherlands also offer tax advantages. But Malta is often the simplest and most cost-effective solution for German SMEs. What about German CFC (“Hinzurechnungsbesteuerung”)? That applies if passive foreign income is taxed at less than 8.25% abroad. Since Malta’s effective rate is 5%, you need to pay attention. Active trading in Malta solves the issue. Can I keep my existing business relationships? Yes, with the right agreements all your client relationships can continue as before. The Malta structure usually remains fully transparent to customers. How do I find the right Malta tax advisor in Bochum? Look for proven Malta experience, references, and realistic cost projections. If they only tell you the upsides and skip over risks, be cautious.