German Inheritance Law and Tax

Do you have clients with relatives, property, inheritances or business in Germany? Learn about inheritance tax and planning strategies for residents and non residents.

Part 1: German Inheritance Law

• Applicability of German inheritance law: Significance of last habitual residence and choice of law
• Splitting the estate in the case of foreign real estate
• Recognition of foreign wills/inheritance contracts
• German law on compulsory portions
• The Ordre Republic reservation in the absence of a right to a compulsory portion

Part 2: German Inheritance Tax

• Inheritance tax liability (Unlimited inheritance tax liability for German residents, extended unlimited inheritance tax liability, limited inheritance tax liability on domestic assets)
• Inheritance tax allowances and tax rates
• Exemption amounts for business assets
• Double taxation in international inheritance cases, as only few DTAs exist
• Tax treatment of foreign trusts and foundations