The controversial methods used by property companies to avoid property sales tax (stamp duty) have been a thorn in the side of the tax authorities in the German states as they are the recipients of the revenue from this tax. The current federal government has picked up the issue as it is regulated by federal law and was agreed as an action item in the coalition agreement. The finance ministers of the states (Bundesländer) have passed a reform model for the regulations for Share Deals in their last joint session on Thursday. Any change in this taxation has to be agreed on by both levels of government.
In the Share Deal model the parties involved use a loophole in the tax code selling shares in a property instead of the entire property. If the amount of shares sold is below 95% there is no property sales tax because in theory the property remains with the company owning it and the company has not fully changed ownership.
Another condition is, that the owner of the remaining 5% plus, 10% plus in the new model, has to remain in the company for a minimum of 5 years to avoid taxation.
As the tax rates vary between 3.5% and 6.5% (overview of the states) of the purchase price in different states it poses the question if these changes are enough of a deterrent to not try to avoid this tax. The total amount lost to the states through this model is estimated at ca. 1 Billion Euro annually.
Stay tuned for updates.
In the Share Deal model the parties involved use a loophole in the tax code selling shares in a property instead of the entire property. If the amount of shares sold is below 95% there is no property sales tax because in theory the property remains with the company owning it and the company has not fully changed ownership.
- In the new model this quota is to be reduced to 90% in order to avoid property sales tax.
Another condition is, that the owner of the remaining 5% plus, 10% plus in the new model, has to remain in the company for a minimum of 5 years to avoid taxation.
- In the new model the minimum holding time is planned to be extended to 10 years.
As the tax rates vary between 3.5% and 6.5% (overview of the states) of the purchase price in different states it poses the question if these changes are enough of a deterrent to not try to avoid this tax. The total amount lost to the states through this model is estimated at ca. 1 Billion Euro annually.
Stay tuned for updates.
