Inheritance, bequest, donation

Wealth succession & tax law

Get informed early on inheritance or gifts and save on taxes

Anyone wishing to transfer assets, whether through inheritance or gifts, should be aware of the legal regulations. With clever tax planning, allowances can be used optimally and unnecessary tax burdens avoided.

When is inheritance tax due?
When they hear the term inheritance tax, many people think that it only applies when someone dies and leaves an inheritance. However, this is only part of the truth.

The legal basis is the Inheritance and Gift Tax Act (ErbStG). This law covers not only traditional inheritances, but also gifts and donations made during the lifetime of the deceased. The aim is to prevent assets from being transferred tax-free by giving them away before death.

It is important to distinguish between:

heirs, who take over the entire estate with all rights and obligations, and
legatees, who receive only a certain part of the estate through a will, without any further obligations.

Such legacies are also taxable under the Inheritance Tax Act and are subject to inheritance tax. Depending on the degree of kinship, different allowances are available for inheritance tax and gift tax in Germany. Whether and to what extent taxes are actually payable therefore always depends on the personal relationship to the testator or donor and on the value of the transferred assets.

As experienced experts in inheritance and gift tax, we support you in optimizing your personal situation, whether in the context of succession planning, gifts, or asset transfers. S·K· tax advisors, auditors, and lawyers support you in all inheritance matters.

Is your wealth succession already planned? How can inheritance or gift tax be minimized? What do you have to pay attention to when transferring companies? What about allowances and tax exemptions?

Formative and creative tax consulting
Advice in the areas of capital gains tax, inheritance tax/gift tax and the transfer of private assets
Comprehensive support for communities of heirs
Examination of alternative forms of assessment/tax classes for spouses (joint or single assessment)
Ongoing advice to charitable organizations on inheritance law issues of donors and charitable organizations on gifts, death benefits and estate administration
Advice on inheritance tax/gift tax and transfer of private assets
Comprehensive support for communities of heirs
Design of succession arrangements and review of existing estate arrangements
Tax advice on asset transfers during lifetime (e.g. gifts), on inheritance and on inheritance disputes
Tax avoidance in the event of inheritance in the case of disclaimer, assertion of the compulsory portion, etc.
Optimal tax structuring of the succession of assets
Preparation of documents for the notary (e.g. marriage contract, will, inheritance contract)
Business valuation and consulting in the context of business succession
Tax and economic valuation of current assets - including real estate and business assets
Preparation of inheritance and gift tax returns (including review of tax assessment notices) for tax improvement of the asset structure
International inheritance cases (assets with foreign connection)
Mediation and representation in conflicts with the tax office
Establishment and supervision of foundations (means of structuring asset succession)
Execution of wills and administration of estates