Business contribution · GmbH formation Germany · Holding company

Converting a German sole proprietorship into a GmbH for e-commerce

SPIELMANN helps international founders plan the business contribution and transition Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, contracts and accounting in the right sequence.

Assess your conversion

Free & with no obligation

15 minutes

No preparation required

160 e-commerce clients. Focused on Amazon, Shopify, D2C and multichannel.

What can go wrong when converting to a German GmbH

The tax structure is only one part of the process. If the legal entity, accounts and platform data are not updated in sync, payment processing may stall—or, in the worst case, sales channels may temporarily suspend the account for a new KYC review, disrupting all revenue.

Choosing the wrong conversion route

Business contribution, hive-down, cash formation and formation by contribution in kind are not compared properly. This can lead to German tax disadvantages and operational disruption.

Migrating platforms too late

Amazon, PayPal, Stripe and other providers review the new German legal entity. Inconsistent information—for example, an outdated tax number—can delay verification and payouts.

Accounting and contracts fall out of sync

Bank accounts, contracts, the German VAT ID and DATEV are not migrated on the same effective date. As a result, supporting documents and cash flows no longer match.

Business contribution, platforms and accounting in a clear sequence

SPIELMANN coordinates the German tax structure and operational transition so that the GmbH, holding company, platform accounts and accounting are aligned from the effective date.

Determine the structure and contribution route

We clarify the current position, target structure, German tax implications and appropriate implementation route. A holding company is included only if it suits the international founder, the business and its objectives.

Review the sole proprietorship and its assets
Compare contribution, demerger and incorporation options
Determine the GmbH or holding structure

Prepare platforms and payment providers

Amazon, PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, banks and other systems are placed in a clear transition sequence. This helps avoid queries, verification delays and blocked payouts.

Clarify the documents required by each platform
Align company details and beneficial ownership information
Prepare accounts and payouts for the transition

Ensure a smooth transition for accounting and tax

Documents, accounts, VAT ID, contracts and interfaces are aligned with the new company. This keeps the transition transparent and enables the GmbH to start with reliable figures.

Prepare the opening balance sheet and accounting processes
Migrate DATEV, bank accounts and integrations
Allocate VAT and ongoing filing obligations correctly

Convert your sole proprietorship into a GmbH — without disrupting platforms or payment processing.

We assess the structure, cut-off date and transition process, and identify the steps that must be addressed before the conversion.

Assess your conversion

Free & with no obligation

15 minutes

No preparation required

Smiling man with glasses and beard wearing a blue suit jacket and white shirt, sitting at a table with an open book and laptop.

Coordinate it yourself, use a standard tax firm or choose SPIELMANN?

For the contribution, the tax structure, notary, platforms, payment systems, contracts and accounting must all be aligned as of the same effective date. The key question is who takes clear responsibility for coordinating these steps.

Coordinate it yourself

You retain operational control, but this requires extensive coordination between the notary, tax advisers, platforms, banks, payment providers and accounting.

Standard tax firm

Can assist with the tax aspects of the contribution, but may not fully incorporate platform, payment and system migrations into the planning.

SPIELMANN

Combines the target structure, contribution route, platform migration, payment processing and accounting in one coordinated transition plan.

Smiling man with glasses and beard wearing a light blue dress shirt looking to the right.

The result: a GmbH structure in which tax and operational considerations are aligned.

The contribution, holding company option, platforms, payment systems, contracts and accounting are aligned as of the effective date. This allows the GmbH to begin operating without unnecessary disruption to day-to-day business.

Clear target structure

Coordinated effective date

Seamless platform migration

SPIELMANN grows with your business –
thanks to partners with more than 1,300 employees.

FAQs

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about working with us, switching to us and our services.

Book an introductory call

Do you also advise agencies, service providers and SaaS companies?

Yes. In addition to Amazon and Shopify merchants, we advise agencies, service providers and SaaS companies in the e-commerce sector. We are familiar with recurring revenue, retainer models and international invoicing.

How quickly can I switch to Spielmann?

Typically within four weeks, with less than 30 minutes of your time required. We handle communication with your current tax adviser and manage the entire transition without disruption.

Are you really tax advisers?

Yes. SPIELMANN Steuerberatung GmbH is a licensed tax advisory firm registered with the Düsseldorf Chamber of Tax Advisers. Financial accounting, payroll accounting, tax advisory services, annual financial statements and tax returns are all provided by a single firm.

How does communication work?

Communication is primarily via a dedicated Slack channel for your team, as well as by email and phone. We generally respond to queries within a few hours.

Can you handle international sales and customers?

Yes. We set up cross-border transactions, reverse charge, OSS and foreign registrations correctly and handle the ongoing filings, so you can focus on your business.

Converting a German sole proprietorship into a GmbH for e-commerce

160 e-commerce clients. Focused on Amazon, Shopify, D2C and multichannel.