Register or re-register a company with the Artists' Social Security Fund

If you operate a company that is subject to levies, you must register your company with the Künstlersozialkasse.

The artists' social insurance scheme integrates self-employed artists and journalists into the protection of the statutory social security system. The special feature here is that this group of people only has to pay about half of their contributions themselves.

The other half of the contribution is financed by a federal subsidy and a levy on companies that utilize artistic and journalistic works or services provided by self-employed artists or journalists.

After your registration, the Artists' Social Security Fund checks whether you operate a business subject to the levy and in this case also have to pay an artists' social security contribution.

It is not relevant in which legal form you operate your company. Even a tax-recognized non-profit status does not exempt you from a potential obligation to pay artists' social security contributions.

The Künstlersozialkasse will be happy to advise you.

You can submit your registration online or by mail. 

Online Registration:

• Access the online application on the federal portal. This will guide you step by step through the necessary information, which you can enter electronically.
• Note: To complete the online application, you need a valid ELSTER certificate to log in.
• You need approximately 20 minutes to complete the online application.
• First, enter your company's data.
• Subsequently, you will answer questions about your company's industry or activity as well as the engagement of self-employed artists or journalists.
• If available, please upload proof of the activities performed by your company. This can be, for example, a business registration, an extract from the commercial register, or company articles of association.

Registration by mail:

• On the website of the Künstlersozialkasse, in the media center for companies and exploiters, a "registration and survey form for checking the liability to pay contributions and the amount of the artists" social security contribution" is available.
• Please complete the form in full. This includes your company's data, information on your company's industry or activity, and details regarding the commissioning of self-employed artists or publicists.
• If available, attach proof of the activities performed by your company to the form. This can be, for example, a business registration, an excerpt from the commercial register, or articles of association. 
• Send the completed form to the Künstlersozialkasse. You can also register with the Künstlersozialkasse informally.

After receipt of your registration, the Künstlersozialkasse will review your information. If there are any questions or if further documents are required, the Künstlersozialkasse will contact you.

If the Künstlersozialkasse affirms the obligation to pay contributions:

• You will receive a notice determining your tax liability.
• Should you have already submitted remuneration reports, you will also be informed of the amount of the artists' social security contribution payable. You will likewise receive information on whether and, if applicable, in what amount you must pay monthly advance payments for the current calendar year.

If the Artists' Social Welfare Fund denies the obligation to pay contributions: 

• You will receive a notification that, at the time of the review, based on your information and the available documents, no tax liability can be determined for your company.
• In this case, you are required to contact the Künstlersozialkasse again if the conditions in your company change and a levy obligation exists.

Your registration must be completed by March 31st of the following year at the latest, if the requirements for the filing obligation were met in the previous calendar year.

There are no costs for you.

• Objection
• Detailed information on how to file an appeal can be found in the notice.