In Germany there is no estate tax levied on the entire estate as such. If the decedent was a resident of Germany or if the assets are located in Germany, even foreign beneficiaries have to pay inheritance taxes in Germany (“Erbschaftsteuern”). However, each beneficiary has to pay an inheritance tax to the German government on … Continue reading Inheritance Taxes under German Law
Author: Caroline Esche Ashford, PhD, JD
As German-American estate and tax attorney I advise both US families with overseas assets or inheritances from abroad, and non-US citizens with assets or inheritances in the United States.
I am licensed to practice law in Germany, Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
A Bequest vs an Inheritance under German Law
The interest in a German estate can either be in form of a bequest ("Vermächtnis") or an inheritance ("Erbe", "Erbschaft"). A bequest ("Vermächtnis") relates to a specific item or a specific amount of money. By contrast, an inheritance means that the beneficiary is either the sole heir or part of a community of heirs ("Erbengemeinschaft") … Continue reading A Bequest vs an Inheritance under German Law
German Inheritance 