Private Clients Update - Assets | Foundations | Succession
The update for entrepreneurs, investors and wealthy private individuals every two months
Our free newsletter is published every two months to inform you about current and general topics relating to assets, foundations and succession.
We keep it short and - hopefully - understandable, and practical anyway. The topics we cover are the subject of our daily work. Because asset optimization often goes hand in hand with tax issues, the newsletter will also regularly cover tax topics.
Current issue | August 2026
How to Use Hurdle Shares Effectively in Germany: Taxation, Risks And Structuring Considerations
Tax Law
The Bavarian tax authorities have provided long-awaited clarity: Hurdle Shares do not automatically constitute employment income subject to German payroll tax. Find out why this new guidance matters for companies, investors, and founders and what to consider when structuring Hurdle Shares in the most tax-efficient way.
Germany’s 2026 Annual Tax Act: Planned Changes for Crypto, AI And Inheritance Tax
Tax Law
From the potential elimination of the tax-free holding period for cryptocurrency to the growing use of AI in tax administration, a number of significant tax changes are on the horizon. Find out which developments you should be watching closely in our article.
The Inherited Picasso: Legal and Tax Challenges of Art Inheritances in Germany
Inheritance Tax
An art collection often represents not only significant personal and financial value but also complex tax considerations. Learn about the tax benefits that may be available and why early estate and succession planning is especially important for art assets.
Real Estate Transfers in Germany: New Standards for Interest-Free Installment Payments
Real Estate Law
Good news for succession planning: The Federal Fiscal Court of Germany has changed its previous case law and clarified that interest-free purchase price installments no longer require the taxation of deemed interest income. Find out what these decisions mean and which tax structuring opportunities may arise from them in our article.
Intra-Family Loans: Low Interest Rates Can Trigger German Gift Tax
Gift Tax
Favorable intra-family loans can have unexpected tax consequences: If the agreed interest rate is too low, the interest-rate advantage may be treated as a taxable gift, even if the loan is repaid in full.
Germany–Russia Double Taxation Agreement: Suspension Effective January 1, 2027
International Tax Law
The tax framework for German subsidiaries of Russian parent companies is undergoing fundamental changes. Find out what this means for withholding taxes, group structures, and documentation requirements.