Inheritance tax is currently receiving increased attention. The discussion is being shaped by both legal questions and an increasingly lively political debate. Particular focus is being directed towards the various proceedings that have been pending before the Federal Constitutional Court for several years.
In identical decrees issued by the Supreme Tax Authorities of the Federal States, the tax authorities comment upon the judgment of the Supreme Tax Court of 26 July 2022 (II R 25/20) and upon the underlying view that the option relief under Section 13a (10) Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act (or Section 13a (8) IHTA old version) can be exercised separately for each economic unit transferred. This applies to all open cases.
According to a decision of the Supreme Tax Court, the inheritance tax exemption granted to the surviving spouse upon acquisition of the family home must not be revoked retroactively if its continued use for own residential purposes is impossible or unreasonable due to health reasons. The same applies to the tax exemption granted to children as heirs, the BFH said in another judgment from the same date.
