I’m just about to go into my Ausländerbehörde phase again… I’ll likely call LABO on Thursday, so I’ll let you all know how long I have to wait to talk to a Sachbearbeiter, just in case I break any records.

 I’ve just received a message from a reader:

Hi Mathew Michael,

thanks a lot for the blog, a lot of interesting stuff.  I’m from Quebec, my girlfriend is German and we go to Auslanderamt next week as we want to get a temporary resident permit until we actually marry next year and get a regular resident permit.

Any trick to get an appointment at the Auslanderamt?  E-mails are bouncing, nobody answers the phone, etc. So we decided just to show there and try to get someone.

Thanks,

Pepito (names have been changed to protect the innocent)

Here’s what I had to say:

Hi Pepito ,

It’s always nice to hear that my blog is reaching people out there. I can’t think of any particular trick to get an appointment at the Ausländerbehörde - I have always just called and re-called and stayed on the line until someone responsible finally takes the initiative to book me a meeting. Emails will not work. I do know that they have special hours for phoning though, so you might want to take a look at the LABO site to see when those are (they have really crap hours, like every other day before 1 p.m. or something, and I guess nobody answers the phones on Tuesday or Wednesday, period). It’s a bit of a test, but eventually someone will have to listen to you.

By all means, let me know how it goes. I think I will actually add this info to my blog right now

Cheers and good luck!
Matthew

PS: I recommend NOT just showing up. Usually, the place is a mess and it is full of people who don’t speak German, which is pure chaos. You will invariably have to wait a minimum of an hour. Plus, they will typically just give you an appointment, and you will not be able to see someone directly, which means you will just have to come back another day (waste of time).

Time flies when you’re having fun.

In Feb 2010, I’m due for another trip to the Ausländeramt to have my Aufenthaltstitel and Arbeitserlaubnis extended. At the moment, everything looks rosey. I’ve been steadily increasing my income since the last time I visited, paying tax, the whole thing, so I shouldn’t have any problems. I’ll let you know what documents I prepare to take along when I go so that you can prepare a similar package.

Hello fellow struggling new Berliners; how goes it? I know I haven’t blogged in ages, but it’s only because I’ve had so much to do. I gave notice at the software company I was working at to work independently full-time, and now it is hectic. When it rains, it pours, and even when it doesn’t rain it’s still wet. At the moment, I’m trying to save capital to form my own company (a meagre translation agency), but I assure you that I’ll keep you informed along the way.

What else is new? Well I pay lot more taxes, and I have a lot more overhead now that I have to pay partners, but I guess that was bound to happen… I shall return with news!

Once you get big enough to outsource, pay your colleagues or partners on time… Nothing will burn your bridges quicker than referring to the ‘global financial crisis’ or saying that you ‘went on holidays’ if the people that are working with you don’t receive payment in a timely fashion.

I’ve always paid my own partners as soon as I receive their invoices; I have sufficient  capital to work this way, and I also realise how timely payment not only keeps your books balanced, but that it also builds a better working relationship with your peers.

Honest business  is good business.

It worked! I sued the deadbeat, and he paid me out in full, including legal fees. If you are working in Germany and you get the run around by someone, then they are legally liable after 30 days. I recommend using this service to get what is rightfully owed to you!

Well, it finally happened. A bullshit company tried to stiff me for close to 2,000 euros, so I sued them. Surprisingly, however, they have already paid about half of what they owe me, even though it is around 3 months overdue. If you are doing business in Germany and writing invoices to companies, then I recommend that you a) make friends with a lawyer, and b) inform yourself about what a Mahnung is and what Schuldnerverzug is. This is information about your right to officially inform a client that they better pay up, and what steps you can take to retrieve your hard-earned cash. You should also read about Inkasso to understand more about the powers you have to collect your dues.

So now that I’ve set up a trading account at my bank and traded successfully for nearly a year, Sparkasse wants me to fill out this form declaring my tax status as a foreigner. As usual, the form lacks clarity and sense (it doesn’t even feature instructions - you have to look for those elsewhere), so I’ve found a page online with tips for Canadians on how to fill it out.

Interestingly enough, it all seems to be mostly U.S. tax law for the IRS, so I’m a little puzzled about why it involves me… I’ll fill out only as little as required and send it back to my bank. For most of you who have read this blog, you know that I hate tax (tax is theft imposed on you via coercion by a handful of illegitimate ‘elected’ individuals), but I’ll play along until I naturalise…

My new project:

canadiansinberlin.com

I’m happy to report that last month was a record for me - I wrote almost four thousand euros worth of invoices. It was a hell of a lot of work, but it was worth it and necessary. Apparently my tax consultant (the best tax consultant in the city - if you need one, then ask me and I’ll give you his contact info) found my invoices flawed, but nonetheless.

This private translation thing really seems to be working out. I must be good