US Citizen (temporarily living in Germany) paying German taxes on a monetary "gift"...?

Question

When I travel to Germany this Fall, I will be doing some babysitting. I plan to not make more than 400 Euro a month (the legal financial limit before having to pay German taxes). My question is, if I receive a financial cash "gift" (an incentive to continue working) from the family I baby-sit for, am I required to pay taxes on it?
Does anyone know the German tax laws for receiving "gifts"? I know in the US you can give a gift up to a certain amount and not be taxed on it.
Just a little background info: my husband and I are US citizens and will be in Germany for 11 months b\c my husband was awarded a scholarship to study there. I just want to work a little to earn some spending money. I found an American couple who is in need of a babysitter, so this is what is prompting all the questions! Thanks in advance for the help :)

Answer 1

that depends on if your employer will get you a insurance card for income taxes. your future employer should call the finanzamt ( irs ) to find out

Answer 2

An employer cannot make you a gift--it's income to you unless it's diminis (so little value it is not worth tracking)--so a gift would put you over this 400 Euro limit. Have you verified this "limit"? The tax treaty limits your husband to $9000 a year tax free, but that applies to him as a student, not you.