Germany faces shortage of tax advisors, salaries rise to €73,500

Germany’s tax advisory sector is confronting a pronounced shortage of qualified professionals. The German Economic Institute (IW) ranks tax advisors among the ten jobs with the greatest skilled‑worker deficit, estimating that about 14,000 advisors were lacking last year, while industry bodies put the gap at roughly 25,000. Around 66 % of the roughly 59,000 tax advisors in Germany are self‑employed, running their own practices.

Demand for tax‑advice is growing: the digital association Bitkom reports that 17 % of the 15 million taxpayers have already used a tax advisor in 2024, up from the previous year. Advisors earn on average €73,500 per year, with entry‑level salaries near €63,700 and assistants earning about €41,000. The filing deadline of 31 July triggers an additional six‑month extension for those who engage a tax advisor. The shortage and high remuneration are prompting many workers to consider the profession as a career change.