Comment by mbeex

> Even becoming an independent contractor is fraught with many of the same hurdles.

It depends, there is no simple entity "independent contractor". If you can run your business as Freiberufler - roughly but not quite a freelancer - you may have found a pretty lightweight framework - even compared to other jurisdictions. Simpler accounting, no need for balance sheets and therefore for a tax advisor in most cases (still recommended). Liability can be largely limited by insurance, depending on the field of business.

I'm doing this for over 20 years and I simply have no need to own any kind of corporation.

Of course, YMMV.