Securing your assets
Tax-efficient structuring of asset transfers, business succession and cross-border estates. Individual succession solutions for families and business owners.
Passing on assets is one of the most important financial decisions in life. Whether family succession, business handover or property transfer - early planning and tax optimisation can save considerable sums. DITTRICH combines tax expertise with many years of practical experience in complex succession cases.
Every asset transfer is unique. We analyse your personal situation, identify allowances and scope for structuring, and develop a tailored succession strategy that takes account of your family and business objectives.
Time is a central factor in succession planning. By making clever use of ten-year intervals for gifts, allowances can be fully utilised on multiple occasions and larger estates transferred in stages in a tax-efficient manner.
For cross-border estates in particular, our clients benefit from the combination of our succession expertise and our knowledge of international tax law. This allows us to avoid double taxation and make optimal use of the possibilities offered by different legal systems.
Your expert
CEO
Tax Consultant, Bachelor of Arts, Expert Adviser for International Taxation, Expert Adviser for Customs and Excise Duties
From practice
Private individuals wished to transfer property during their lifetime while preserving rights of use and income streams. The asset transfer was carried out in a tax-efficient manner, with a tangible saving in gift tax and secured rights of use.
A business owner planned to pass on limited partnership and GmbH shares to the next generation. The shares were transferred with minimal tax exposure, the corporate structure remained stable and ongoing income was secured.
A client left business assets and property in several South American countries as well as a trust in an offshore jurisdiction. The estate was settled with minimal tax exposure and documented in a legally sound manner vis-à-vis all tax authorities involved.
From asset transfer planning to the structuring of wills: we advise you on all matters relating to inheritance, gifts and succession.
From asset analysis to tax structuring: we advise you on all questions relating to inheritance, gifts and succession.
Balancing family interests, business assets relief and documentation of the evidence required for tax benefits.
Correct valuation of property, use of tax advantages for rental properties and family homes, structures such as usufruct and right of residence.
Targeted use of ten-year intervals and allowances across multiple generations for a tax-efficient lifetime transfer of assets.
Unlimited and limited tax liability, 5- and 10-year look-back rules, double taxation treaties and multi-country property portfolios.
Advice and assistance with the tax-optimal drafting of wills. Coordination with legal advisers and development of individual structuring approaches to minimise the tax burden and ensure an orderly transfer of assets.
Planning ahead
The transfer of business assets can under certain conditions be exempt from inheritance and gift tax by 85 or even 100 per cent. We help you meet the requirements and choose the optimal relief strategy.
85 per cent of business assets remain tax-free on compliance with a 5-year retention period and payroll sum rule
Full tax exemption with a 7-year retention period and stricter requirements regarding administrative assets
Documentation and monitoring of payroll developments and compliance with the retention period to secure the tax benefits
We combine many years of succession experience with international tax law and modern digital working processes.
Experience in complex succession cases
Over 30 years of practice in asset transfers and business succession
Combined with international tax law
International tax expertise and many years of experience in cross-border estates from a single source.
Tax-efficient structuring across generations
Long-term strategies using allowances across multiple gift intervals
Digital processes and modern valuation methods
Digital workflows with DATEV and transparent communication
FOCUS Top Tax Firm
Recognised as one of Germany's best tax advisory firms
Our tax advisers for inheritance tax and succession are available to help you personally.
Answers to the most important questions about inheritance tax and succession.
Can't find your question? Get in touchFrom a financial standpoint, engaging a tax adviser makes sense once the personal allowances under section 16 of the German Inheritance and Gift Tax Act (ErbStG) are exceeded. For larger family estates comprising property and/or business assets, tax-assisted structuring can reduce a potential tax liability by a multiple of the adviser's fees.
Spouses and registered civil partners have an allowance of EUR 500,000, children EUR 400,000 and grandchildren EUR 200,000. These allowances can be used again every ten years, for both gifts and inheritances.
The amount of inheritance tax depends on the tax class and the value of the taxable acquisition. The tax class is determined by the relationship between donor and recipient or deceased and heir. For example, under section 19(1) ErbStG the tax rate for a child's acquisition of up to EUR 600,000 after deducting the allowance is 15 per cent. Succession planning aims to reduce the taxable acquisition through forward-looking structuring and to make the most advantageous use of available reliefs and allowances.
The business assets relief exempts business assets on transfer by 85 per cent (standard relief) or 100 per cent (optional relief) from inheritance and gift tax. Conditions include compliance with a retention period and maintenance of the payroll sum.
Property is valued depending on its type using the comparative value, income capitalisation or asset value method. A ten per cent discount applies to let residential property. The family home used by the owner may in certain circumstances even be transferred free of tax.
The reporting obligation for inheritances of German residents also covers foreign assets or estates involving a foreign heir or deceased. In particular, the application of inheritance tax double taxation treaties can in many cases prevent double taxation.
As early as possible, ideally at least ten years before the planned transfer. Because allowances can be used again every ten years, early planning makes it possible to transfer larger estates in stages in a tax-efficient manner across several intervals.
The initial consultation is free of charge and without obligation. You will then receive a transparent fee proposal based on the German Tax Advisers' Remuneration Ordinance (StBVV). Costs depend on the nature and scope of the succession planning.
Whether business succession, property transfer or cross-border estate - speak to our tax advisers. The initial consultation is free of charge.
