Germany seeks thousands of tax advisors, salaries reach up to 90,000 euros per year
According to estimates, between 14,000 and 25,000 specialists are lacking, and demand is rising due to the complex tax system.
According to estimates, between 14,000 and 25,000 specialists are lacking, and demand is rising due to the complex tax system.
The German Economic Institute has ranked tax advisors among the ten professions with the greatest shortage of qualified workers. According to data reported by Dnevno.hr, last year Germany was short of about 14,000 specialists in this field, while the profession itself estimates the actual shortage at 25,000 people. Demand for their services is growing because the German tax system is extremely complex, and more citizens and companies are opting for professional help.
According to data from the digital association Bitkom, during 2024, as many as 17 percent of approximately 15 million taxpayers used the services of a tax advisor, which is almost a quarter more than the year before. The deadline for self-submission of tax returns expires on July 31, while those who hire an advisor have an additional six months. Therefore, a high volume of work is expected again this year.
The salary comparison portal Kununu, whose data is cited by Dnevno.hr, reports that starting salaries for tax advisors are around 63,700 euros per year, well above the German average. Advisors with more than three years of experience earn around 73,500 euros, and monthly gross incomes range from 6,000 to 7,700 euros, i.e., from 73,000 to 90,000 euros per year. Tax assistants, who perform simpler tasks, earn an average of 41,000 euros annually. After passing the exam, beginners can expect an annual salary between 48,000 and 59,000 euros, while experienced professionals can reach up to 8,500 euros per month. The median salary for more complex activities is 7,366 euros gross per month, with a lower boundary of 6,010 euros and an upper boundary of 7,450 euros.
Earnings and availability of advisors vary significantly depending on location. According to data from the German Chamber of Tax Advisors, in wealthy Düsseldorf there are 45 advisors per 10,000 residents, while in Salzgitter there are only two. Service costs also differ: a citizen with an average salary of around 54,000 euros per year will pay about 600 euros for a simple tax return, while freelancers and companies for more complex advice, such as VAT calculations, may pay over 1,200 euros. Nearly 66 percent of all advisors, i.e., about 59,000 people, are self-employed and run their own practices.
"Many companies have been under incredible pressure in recent years," said the German Association of Tax Advisors. They also add that the profession is not exclusively accessed through university education: "You don't become a tax advisor only through university studies. Tax assistants with relevant professional experience can also take the exam." Given the constantly growing demand and demographic trends, this profession will remain in demand, and above-average salaries could attract specialists from Croatia who are considering working in Germany.
