Preparing the factual record for a German status procedure

The status determination procedure under section 7a SGB IV concerns social-security classification. It can provide certainty, but it is a formal process with consequences. Preparation should begin with a complete factual record, not a bundle containing only favourable clauses.

Identify the exact relationship and period

Record the contractual parties, start date, material changes and whether earlier agreements operated differently. If duties or supervision changed after a project phase, preserve that chronology instead of collapsing everything into the current arrangement.

Assemble the written record

Depending on the case, relevant material may include:

• service agreements and statements of work;
• task descriptions and acceptance criteria;
• invoices and fee negotiations;
• examples of instructions or project allocation;
• evidence of substitution or subcontracting;
• records showing other clients and market activity;
• equipment and expense arrangements;
• team structures and access requirements.

Redact unrelated personal information. Keep original dates and context. A single message can mislead when detached from the conversation around it.

Describe practice in neutral language

Statements such as “I was completely free” or “she was treated like an employee” are conclusions. Replace them with verifiable examples: who selected the work location, how a task was offered, what happened when work was declined, who corrected defects, and whether absence required approval.

Resolve inconsistencies before filing

The contract may say that hours are freely chosen while calendars show mandatory daily coverage. That inconsistency should be understood and explained, not ignored. It may reflect a temporary project need, or it may reveal a broader right of instruction.

Seek the right advice

A factual assessment can organise the indicators and identify gaps. Legal strategy, representation, appeal deadlines, contribution liability and interaction with labour or tax law require appropriately qualified advice. Early coordination matters when both parties participate or when a dispute has already begun.

The strongest preparation is accurate, chronological and candid. It allows the decision-maker—and your own adviser—to assess the whole relationship rather than a carefully selected label.