On 7 November 2019, the Bundestag approved the Act on the Further Tax Promotion of Electric Mobility and the Amendment of Further Tax Regulations (Finance Act 2019 – “FA19”) in the version recommended by the Finance Committee of the Bundestag. In its recommendation, the Finance Committee included a number of the Bundesrat’s regulatory proposals. Continue reading
Tax & Legal
According to the Supreme Tax Court in its ruling of 25 July 2019 (III R 22/16), published on 7 November 2019, fees paid by a tour operator to hoteliers for the provision of hotel rooms are not subject to the trade tax add-back. Under Section 8 No. 1 Letters d and e of the Trade Tax Act, rental and leasing payments made for the use of moveable and immoveable assets which have previously been deducted from the income tax/corporation tax base, are to be partially added back to trade tax base, where the asset would be treated as an asset in the balance sheet of the taxpayer, if he actually owned the asset. Continue reading
On 25 October 2019, the German Bundestag discussed the implementation of the climate protection programme 2030 into tax law. This was followed by a public hearing on 6 November 2019.
The bill for the implementation of the climate protection programme 2030 in tax law had been adopted by the Federal Government on 16 October 2019.
The amendments to the law will initiate tax measures designed to support climate protection in the areas of transport, housing and energy generation. Continue reading
Following a ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) earlier this year, the Supreme Tax Court held in its decision of 31 October 2019 that the incorporation into the tax base of controlled company income from invested capital from an intermediary company domiciled in Switzerland in the financial year 2006 may restrict the free movement of capital, but it is justified through compelling reasons of public interest and does not therefore contravene EU law. Continue reading
On 31 July 2019, the Federal Cabinet adopted the government draft of the “Real Estate Transfer Tax Amendment Act”. The aim of the draft bill is to tighten the real estate transfer tax (RETT) rules on so-called share deals, which has been under consideration for some time. Continue reading
After protracted and difficult negotiations, on 18 October 2019 the Bundestag passed the coalition factions’ bill on the reform of the land taxes and valuation laws (Land tax Reform Act)
On 9 October 2019, the German Government passed the draft proposal regarding the implementation of mandatory disclosure rules for cross-border tax arrangements. The draft proposal was forwarded to the German Federal Counsel on 10 October 2019 for further consultation. Continue reading
On 26 September 2019, the German Ministry of Finance has published a draft proposal regarding the implementation of mandatory disclosure rules for cross-border tax arrangements, which is now subject to a consultation process with business and professional associations ending on 30 September 2019. This Newsflash provides a summary.tax_legal_newsflash_DAC6_30092019. 2docx
The EU Commission calls on Germany to recognise profit and loss transfer agreements concluded under the laws of another EU or EEA Member State.
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On 31 July, the Federal Cabinet adopted a draft Finance Bill 2019 referred to as the “Act on the Further Tax Promotion of Electric Mobility and on the Amendment of Further Tax Regulations”. As its name suggests the bill focuses on tax incentives for electro-mobility but includes legislation in numerous other areas of tax law. Continue reading