Just as in other fields, numerous hurdles must be overcome in order to avoid disastrous tax consequences in the construction, acquisition, management and sale of real estate. What started out as a mere investment can quickly turn into business activity. VAT might not be deductible as input tax as expected. Property transfer tax must be optimized on acquisition or restructuring, and the transfer of property assets to the next generation must also be carefully planned with foresight.
Regardless of whether you are an investor or a real estate company – we'll work with you to develop the right solution for all relevant issues: from answering individual tax-related questions, to assisting you in purchasing real estate and the related financing, to the sale of the property when the time comes. We are happy to advise you on the structuring of real estate funds, property-owning companies and REITS - both domestically and internationally as part of our network of advisors.
Our services at a glance
- Tax structuring of real estate transactions (sales, investments and acquisitions)
- Tax clauses in asset or share deals, including heritable building rights and financing contracts
- Conducting tax due diligence
- Tax optimization of investment structures (at the company and property level) of all legal forms and types, including direct investments, fund structuring (closed and open-end funds as well as special funds), debt and equity investments
- Tax optimization of your real estate portfolio and process implementation
- Ongoing tax advice on all aspects of your day-to-day business operations
- Advice on defense and enforcement, including assistance during tax audits, out-of-court and in-court appeals, lawsuits and legal protection proceedings (tax courts in the German states, Federal Tax Court, General Court of the EU, ECJ)
- Special VAT consulting, including risk assessments and documentation under § 15a of the German VAT Act
- Real estate acquisition tax structuring advice
- Advice on estate succession, including inheritance and gift tax
- Voluntary disclosure of tax liabilities
- Annual tax returns (including annual financial statements and tax balance sheets) for all types of tax as well as monthly and quarterly returns (VAT, payroll tax)
- Financial and payroll accounting, including preparation of payment transactions
- Tax optimization of investment structures (company and property level)
- Bookkeeping, preparation of annual financial statements and tax returns
- Advice on property tax and property transfer tax
- Specialist investment tax advice, in particular on tax transparency