About the event
The MU’s Head of International Dave Webster will be joined by Sinéad Pratschke of Musicians Tax Advisor, and Sebastian Hoffmann from Touring Artists in Germany, for this one-hour advice webinar.
The session will take an in-depth look at the issues independent musicians face when selling tickets and merchandise both online and at in-person gigs in Germany.
It will cover:
- the requirements for applying German VAT to tickets
- how musicians can account to the German authorities to pay the required VAT (OSS)
- what musicians can do to ensure that they are compliant with German tax and VAT rules when selling directly to the public.
The webinar will be recorded and available for playback after the event.
About the speakers
Dave Webster
Dave joined the MU in 2004 following a busy career as a freelance drummer, percussionist and teacher.
He first worked for the MU in the London office and was London Region Senior Organiser from 2007 to 2013. Dave then headed up the Live Performance Department until 2022 when, following the UK’s departure from Europe, Dave was made Head of International, focusing his work on tackling the difficulties caused for musicians by Brexit as well as aspects MU members face when working overseas such as visas, CITES, and travelling with instruments.
Sinéad Pratschke
Sinéad Pratschke is the founder of the musicians’ community site The Business of Music. This service is a subdivision of Musicians Tax Advisor: a specialist tax and accountancy practice for musicians and music-adjacent businesses.
Sinéad studied at the Royal College of Music and worked as a freelance musician before retraining as a Chartered Tax Advisor.
Musicians’ Tax Advisor specialises in the complexities facing international performers and entertainers e.g. residency issues, international tax compliance, cross border touring agreements and more.
Sinéad is a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and a fellow member of the Association of Accounting technicians (FMAAT).
Sebastian Hoffmann
Sebastian Hoffmann works for the German Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI). He coordinates the help desk service of Germany's Mobility Information Point 'touring artists', focusing on the administrative regulations of cross-border work in the cultural sector (all disciplines).
He studied North American Studies and Film Studies at FU Berlin and Reed College (USA). He has worked as an agent and promoter in the music sector and as a consultant at Music Pool Berlin.
How to attend
Please register your place by emailing eutouring@themu.org, along with any specific questions you may have that we will attempt to answer on the day.
The webinar will be hosted via Zoom, and attendees will be sent a meeting link by 11:00 am on the morning of the event.