German Inheritance Tax: Tax-free Exemptions in 2023
The general tax-free exemption (Freibetrag) has not been changed as of Jan. 1, 2023, and thus remains unchanged since 2019. However, it is expected...
German Federal Civil Court: Application of English law can violate the German Public Policy
In its judgment of June 29, 2022 (Case No. IV ZR 110/21), the Federal Court of Justice as upheld the decision of the Cologne Court of Appeal, which...
German Federal Fiscal Court Ruling on Gift Tax triggered by Distributions from a Foreign Trust
In its decision dated June 25, 2022, file no. II R 31/19 the German Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof) held that distributions from a Foreign pool...
German Federal Fiscal Court: Assets titled in Trust to which the Grantor has reserved comprehensive Powers are to be considered owned by him for German Inheritance and Gift Tax Purposes
The German Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof) has held in its judgment of June 25, 2021, file number II R 13/19, that assets in a trust to which...
Cologne Court of Appeal: Application of English law can violate the German Public Policy
The Cologne Court of Appeal has held in its judgment of April 22, 2021, file no. 24 U 77/20, that English law regarding the forced share is not...
Decicison of the German Federal Fiscal Court on the Taxation of Distributions from a 401(k) to Beneficiary in Germany
1) Distributions from a 401(k) are other income pursuant to Section 22 No. 5 Sentence 1 of the German Income Tax Act (Einkommensteuergesetz, EStG).
2...
Germany: Applicable laws as regards to ordering and supervision of a curator of the estate
(1) German courts have jurisdiction to order the curatorship of the estate of assets located in Germany of a testator who died with his last habitual...
German Inheritance Tax: Tax-free Exemptions in 2021
Personal Tax-free Exemption for 2021
The personal tax-free exemption (Freibetrag) depends on the familial relationship between deceased and...
Concerns about a reduction in the U.S. Estate and Gift Tax exclusions? Make a gift now to benefit from historical exclusion levels.
The U.S. Treasury provided clarity for estate planners and their clients by issuing regulations that confirm that individuals who make gifts now...
The Curtailing of Stretch IRAs
Effective January 1, 2020, the use of IRAs as an instrument for passing a stream of income tax free or tax deferred withdrawals will be limited to ten...
Glossary
Related publications
- U.S.-Trusts in German-American Estate Planning
- Disclaiming an inheritance under German law
- German Inheritance Tax - FAQ
- Community of Co-Heirs in Germany
- Administration of a U.S. Domiciled Decedent’s German Assets by a U.S. Personal Representative
- German Certificate of Inheritance
- Forced Heirship under German Law
- Taxation of U.S.-Trusts under the German Inheritance and Gift Tax Act
- Collection of a German Bank account of a Deceased domiciled abroad
- Administration of a nonresident Decedent’s German Assets