Chamber of commerce membership and fee

In short: Almost every business automatically becomes a compulsory member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). Small traders with little profit are exempt from the fee.

In more detail: The municipality reports the registration to the chamber. The chamber later sends a fee notice. Founders enjoy exemptions in the first years. Small businesses with trade income up to 5,200 euros are exempt from base fee and levy, provided they are not in the commercial register.

In detail

• Legal basis: IHK Act.
• Base fee and levy: scaled by profit and legal form.
• Exemption: small businesses with low trade income, founders in the first years.
• Benefits: advice, founder counselling, examinations, networking, seminars.
• Crafts: whoever runs a craft belongs to the chamber of crafts, see Chamber of crafts and the crafts register.
• Questions: call the responsible chamber directly, staff help free of charge.

See also: Trade tax and allowance, Registering a business step by step