Missed the property tax deadline?
Delay surcharge and estimate threaten - expert clarifies
Created: 09/01/2023 20:14
By: Patricia Huber
The property tax return is finally due at the end of January.
But if you still haven't handed it in by then, you have to reckon with high costs in case of doubt.
Munich/Berlin – All property owners in Germany must submit the new property tax return by January 31st.
In total, this affects around 36 million properties.
So far, however, only slightly more than 16 million tax returns have been submitted.
A large part seems to want to avoid it.
But that can get expensive.
Property tax: Expert expects reminders
Because the submission of the new property tax return is mandatory, as Daniela Karbe-Gessler, head of the tax department at the taxpayers' association, explains to
Merkur.de
.
It makes it clear that no landowner will be able to avoid filling out the declaration.
Anyone who fails to do so or simply refuses must face the consequences.
But what happens if you don't fill out and hand in the documents?
"We assume that the tax authorities will send out reminders three to four weeks after the deadline if necessary.
Then there will probably be another deadline by which the owner should then submit the declaration," Karbe-Gessler makes clear.
However, she does not expect a general extension of the deadline, as has already been the case.
And the taxpayers' association does not demand this either.
After all, the property tax return would actually have been due in October.
Due to the low number of levies, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) then extended the deadline until the end of January 2023.
Property tax expert: "As experience has shown, estimates are more expensive"
Those who do not respond even after the reminder letter must expect severe consequences.
Karbe-Gessler explains: "If this deadline also elapses, the tax authorities can levy a late fee because it is a legal obligation to submit the declaration."
The amount is very individual, but is at least 25 euros and a maximum of 25,000 euros.
In case of doubt, it can be quite expensive.
If you don't complete the property tax return even then, you have to expect an estimate.
"So at the end of 2023, beginning of 2024 it could be that those who refuse or who have missed a fee by then will receive an estimate.
Experience has shown that estimates are always higher than the actual value," the tax expert from the taxpayers' association explains.
After all, in this case the tax office has to estimate values such as the living space - and in case of doubt the owner then has to pay significantly more taxes than it might actually be necessary.
Important, however: In individual cases, an extension of the deadline for submitting the property tax return can be requested.
However, this must be justified.
So if you have the opportunity, you should definitely take care of filling out the new tax return in good time - otherwise it can be expensive.
(ph)
