The 2009 inheritance tax reform aims to allow property owners to bequeath their family home to their partner or children tax-free. However, as this is not always possible due to strict conditions, the tax experts at Stiftung Warentest advise property owners on how to avoid tax traps. Above all, the experts advise homeowners and parents to transfer their property to their children during their lifetime.
In the Stiftung Warentest guidebook "Giving away and inheriting real estate", real estate owners can find out about the legal situation in the area of inherited real estate and receive recommendations for action on how to deal with the property in terms of inheritance ahead of time. In this way, owners can think about whether they want to draw up a will or make a gift of the property at an early stage, for example. If the estate is dealt with early, not only can taxes be saved, but unnecessary inheritance disputes can also be avoided.
Questions about the right to live in an inherited house or helpful tips on how owners can correctly determine the value of their property are also answered in the guidebook. The 176-page book was published in October 2019 and can be purchased on the Stiftung Warentest website at a price of 19.99 euros.
Source: Stiftung Warentest
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