Munich's fairest landlord: The tax office put pressure on because he allegedly asked too little

Created: 2022-01-24 06:09

By: Andreas Thieme

Wolfgang Donhärl is a landlord in the Au.

© Marcus sleep

Wolfgang Donhärl's (55) dispute even went to court.

The tax office accuses him of renting his 13 apartments in the Au too cheaply.

Munich – Your own death: who likes to deal with it? However, settling one's estate is one of the most important tasks in life - otherwise there is a risk of chaos for the bereaved who are fighting over money or property. In other cases, the family agrees, but the tax office wants its share – in the form of inheritance tax. In Munich*, this often amounts to millions and poses ever greater problems for real estate owners. Just like Wolfgang Donhärl (55) from Au*.

He is Munich's fairest landlord - and has created a paradise for tenants in the Au: In his 13 apartments, Donhärl still charges prices that are sometimes far below the rent index.

"It's important to me that the tenants can live well," says Donhärl.

But whether he will be able to keep the prices in Aurbacherstraße and also his house: That is open.

The decisive factor here is the calculation of the gift tax, which Donhärl is arguing about with the tax office.

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Munich: Wolfgang Donhärl is still asking for prices below the rent index – the tax office doesn't like it

A comparison was made at the Bavarian Finance Court, according to which the office may only set 20 percent below the Munich rent index for comparative rents - instead of the average price.

If Donhärl wants to transfer his apartment building to his children, it would currently cost around one million euros.

Strong upward trend!

The tax on Munich real estate is so lavish.

The dispute with the Munich tax office revolves around the house on Aurbacherstrasse © Marcus Schlaf

This can hardly be compensated with the rents: "Unfortunately, we had to raise it twice, otherwise it can't be financed," says Donhärl.

"But we don't intend to sell." He and his sister inherited the 120-year-old house from their mother and live in it.

Both are annoyed that the tax office "does not care whether the apartments are rented or not".

Because the tax mainly calculates the property.

"Tax the rents and the sale only when it takes place," is Donhärl's suggestion.

In this way, the family could remain in possession for the long term and continue to rent out cheaply in Munich.