Lindner wants to tackle a reduction in tax reform

Berlin Christian Lindner (FDP) wants to make buying real estate cheaper with a reform of the real estate transfer tax. The Federal Minister of Finance said that the “introduction of a reduced rate” is being examined in order to “facilitate access to home ownership”. According to the plans, the tax could be completely eliminated for certain groups of buyers.

However, the deliberations have only just begun. The “exact model is not yet clear,” emphasized Lindner. At the same time, the finance minister made it clear that he favored the possibility of a reduced tax rate. Accordingly, the federal states should have a second tax rate in the future, which they can reduce to zero.

The real estate transfer tax is due when buying a condominium, a house or land. Depending on the federal state, the tax rate is between 3.5 and 6.5 percent and is due on the purchase price. With a purchase price of 500,000 euros, the buyer has to pay up to 32,500 euros to the tax authorities. These high ancillary costs are a hurdle when buying real estate, especially for young families.