Managing your finances as a self-employed gardener in Germany involves various tasks: service-based income, VAT rules, equipment costs, and other professional expenses. The right tools can make all the difference in streamlining your work and staying compliant with tax laws.<\/p>\n
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With Accountable, you can simplify your bookkeeping and avoid time-consuming tasks – so you can focus on what matters most: your gardening projects and clients.<\/p>\n
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This guide answers the most common questions we receive from self-employed gardeners in Germany and helps you make the most of the app.<\/p>\n
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\u2705 Gardening-specific accounting basics<\/b><\/p>\n How to encode your revenue<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Cash payments and daily turnover<\/p>\n<\/li>\n VAT in Germany (subject to VAT or small business owner)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Renting Equipment and tool storage costs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Transport and travel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Training and certifications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u2705 List of deductibles and categories to use<\/b><\/p>\n Common deductions for gardeners<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sharing costs with collaborators<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u2705 FAQ<\/b><\/p>\n \n By following this guide, you\u2019ll save time, avoid mistakes, and keep your finances in order – while you focus on growing your business. \ud83c\udf3f\u2728<\/p>\n \n \ud83c\udf1f Prefer following a webinar?<\/b> Pre-register now <\/a>to get the details live from a tax coach!<\/p>\n \n As a self-employed gardener, your income primarily comes from services like garden design, maintenance, landscaping, and possibly product sales such as plants or garden tools.<\/p>\n \n Group your daily revenue<\/b> A cash register<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A POS system<\/p>\n<\/li>\n A simple sales journal<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n You can group transactions per day or week instead of recording each client separately.<\/p>\n \n Go to the green \u201cRevenue\u201d screen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Click \u201cAdd non-invoice revenue\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n No need for client names (ideal for cash-based businesses)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Group multiple payments (daily or weekly)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n We also have a step-by-step guide for you: \n \ud83d\udca1 Tip:<\/b><\/p>\n Garden maintenance, landscaping services \u2192 Service income (Category: Sales of Services)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Plants, soil, garden tools \u2192 Product sales (Category: Sale of goods)<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n What is the Kleinunternehmerregelung (small business owner)?<\/b><\/p>\n Many self-employed gardeners in Germany fall under the Kleinunternehmerregelung (\u00a719 UStG). This means:<\/p>\n You do not charge VAT on your invoices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You do not submit VAT declarations<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Your turnover must stay below \u20ac25,000 annually<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In Accountable:<\/b><\/p>\n Go to Settings > Taxes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Select Kleinunternehmer if applicable<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \u26a0\ufe0f Important:<\/b><\/p>\n You still pay VAT on your purchases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You cannot reclaim VAT<\/p>\n<\/li>\n VAT paid becomes part of your deductible business expenses<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n If your turnover exceeds the Kleinunternehmer thresholds or you opt out voluntarily:<\/p>\n You must charge 19% VAT <\/p>\n<\/li>\n Submit VAT declarations and VAT pre submissions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Accountable helps you manage both situations correctly.<\/p>\n \n If you need to rent tools or machinery for your gardening business, these costs can be deducted as business expenses.<\/p>\n Examples of equipment you might rent<\/b>:<\/p>\n Lawn mowers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hedge trimmers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Excavators<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Other specialized tools<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n How to record the expense in Accountable<\/b>:<\/p>\n Upload the rental invoices under Expenses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Categorise them as subcontracting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These rental costs help lower your taxable income and ensure your equipment is properly accounted for.<\/p>\n \n If you rent space for storing equipment or materials (e.g., a storage unit for tools or plants), these costs are deductible as business expenses.<\/p>\n Examples of deductible storage costs:<\/p>\n Renting a storage unit for tools, plants, or materials<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Renting space in a warehouse for larger equipment<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n How to document it<\/b>: \n By keeping track of these expenses, you can reduce your taxable income and manage your business more effectively.<\/p>\n \n You can only deduct an allowance for the kilometres you drive to the workspace and for business trips: <\/p>\n Commuter allowance (trips to your workplace)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mileage allowance (business trips, travel for client visits)<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n You can deduct:<\/b><\/p>\n Fuel<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Insurance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Maintenance & repairs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Depreciation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Parking fees<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Deductibility depends on:<\/b><\/p>\n Professional use percentage<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Vehicle ownership type (1%-Rule or mileage log)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In Accountable:<\/b><\/p>\n Add your vehicle<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Record each expense<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Indicate professional use<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n For more details, check out our article: \n If you use a bicycle for business:<\/p>\n Deduct actual expenses (repairs, accessories, depreciation)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Keep proof of professional use<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Tickets and subscriptions used for business purposes are deductible under: \n As a gardener, staying current is important for your business and tax deductions. Be sure to include the following in your expenses:<\/p>\n Gardening courses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sustainability or eco-friendly certifications<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Health & Safety certification<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Landscaping and Garden Design Permits<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Garden shows or exhibitions<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Trade fairs, workshops, or online trainings<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Associated costs:<\/b><\/p>\n Transport<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Meals (meal allowance > \ud83d\udcc2 How to deduct your travel expenses?<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tools or equipment required for training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \ud83d\udca1 Tip to maximise deductions:<\/b><\/p>\n Training fee \u2192 Category: Professional Training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Food \u2192 Category: Canteen & reception<\/p>\n \n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Deductible expenses lower your taxable income, meaning:<\/p>\n You pay less income tax<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You keep more cash for your business<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You can reinvest in better tools, products, or training<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Here are some common expenses you can deduct to lower your taxable income:<\/p>\n\n
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\n\ud83d\udcc8 1. Gardening-specific accounting basics<\/h2>\n
How to manage your income:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Track your daily turnover with:<\/p>\n\n
Encoding in Accountable:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcc2 How to properly record your cash income in Accountable<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n\ud83d\udcca 2. VAT in Germany: what you need to know<\/h2>\n
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\nIf you are subject to VAT<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\n\ud83d\udd27 3. Renting equipment <\/h2>\n
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\n\ud83c\udfe0 4. Tool Storage Costs<\/h2>\n
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For rented space, simply upload the rental invoices under Expenses and categorise them as Rent (External Office).<\/p>\n
\n <\/b>\ud83d\udee3\ufe0f 5. Transport and travel<\/h2>\n
\ud83d\ude97 Private car:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\ude97 Business car:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\ud83d\udcc2 How can I deduct my car expenses?<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\ud83d\udeb2 Bicycle:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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\n\ud83d\ude95 Public transport & taxis:<\/b><\/h3>\n
\u200bTravel > Other travel costs<\/b><\/p>\n
\n\ud83c\udf93 6. Training & certifications<\/h2>\n
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\n\ud83d\udcb5 7. Deductions for gardeners<\/h2>\n
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