Tax & Legal

In a recently published decision, the Supreme Tax Court held that the operation of an online platform for the publication of socio-political issues can only be recognized as a charitable non-profit promotion of the democratic state if the matters of concern are related to the exercise of state authority and are dealt with in a neutral und unbiased manner.

According to a decision of the Supreme Tax Court, the mere fact that a foundation returns the amount it previously received from the donor to the latter within a short period of time as an interest-bearing loan and uses the interest income earned to promote its tax-privileged statutory purposes is not in itself a reason to deny the tax-deductibility of the contribution as donation.

Membership fees paid to a charitable organization that promotes cultural activities which mainly serve the furtherance of recreational and leisure activities are not deductible as special personal expenses for income tax purposes.

An ancient english university college may meet the requirements of a charitable foundation under German law and be exempt from corporate income tax because of its non-profit status. In its decision the Supreme Tax Court also found that the legal structure of the college is equivalent to that of a German foundation within the meaning of Sec. 80 (1) of the German Civil Code.