Glossary
Grundbesitzwert
Grundbesitzwert: The Grundbesitzwert is the value the German tax office uses for a property in inheritance and gift tax. It is set under the Valuation Act using the comparison, income or cost approach and, since 2023, is usually close to market value.
What is the Grundbesitzwert?
When you inherit or are given a property in Germany, the tax office needs a value for the tax. This Grundbesitzwert is assessed under the Valuation Act, not taken from the purchase price.
What does it mean for you?
For a first estimate, value the property with the property valuation calculator and enter the result as the tax value in the Gift Tax Calculator. If the tax office sets a clearly too high value, an expert report is often worth it.
This page is for information only and does not replace tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Grundbesitzwert means the tax value of real property. It is the value the German tax office assesses for inheritance and gift tax purposes, separate from the purchase price.
For flats and one- or two-family houses usually by the comparison approach, for rental buildings by the income approach and otherwise by the cost approach (§§ 182 ff. BewG).
Yes. With a report from a certified expert or a valuation committee you can prove a lower market value (§ 198 BewG).