At the end of 2019, the German government has decided to increase subsidies in the area of building renovation. Since the beginning of this year, property owners have benefited from significant tax advantages from the tax office as well as subsidies from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (Bafa) and the state-owned Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). The prerequisite for the subsidy is that the property is used for owner-occupied purposes.
In this context, Stiftung Warentest presents the possible subsidy options on its website and lists the requirements for the respective subsidies and tax benefits. According to Stiftung Warentest, a tax bonus is worthwhile above all if individual renovation measures are planned for the house, such as replacing windows and doors, insulating the roof and walls, and installing a new ventilation system or heating system. Owners receive the tax benefits without a great deal of administrative effort and can also claim them in their annual tax returns after the measures have been completed.
However, if owners would like to take advantage of subsidies from Bafa or KfW, an application must be submitted before construction work begins. Stiftung Warentest also points out that the measures must be carried out by specialists or a specialist company and that cooperation with an energy expert is necessary for approval of the subsidies. Interested parties can find out which renovation measures are supported by the sponsors, the amount of the grants and tax benefits since this year, and much more information and advice on the Stiftung Warentest website.
Source: Stiftung Warentest
© fotolia.com
