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The "exit tax" is not a separate type of tax, but income tax plus solidarity surcharge and, if applicable, church tax. The term therefore does not describe a specific tax, but a specific point in time when the tax is induced: namely, at the time of departure from Germany.
Exit taxation is regulated in § 6 of the German Foreign Transaction Tax Act (Außensteuergesetz, AStG). It applies to the capital gains (hidden reserves) of shares in corporations held as private assets (e.g. GmbHs, AGs or foreign legal forms as well) as soon as these are withdrawn from Germany's right of taxation. This happens, for example, when the shareholder moves abroad.
The state treats these exit cases as though the shareholder had sold his company and thus taxes this fictitious capital gain. The problem: The shareholder did not, in fact, sell, so they did not obtain a sales price. Nevertheless, the state requires the shareholder to pay taxes.
According to § 6 of the Foreign Transaction Tax Act, exit taxation requires that the taxpayer living in Germany
The requirements are quickly met. The typical shareholder in a limited liability company is usually affected if they plan to move abroad permanently. Young shareholders to whom the shares have been transferred, e.g. by their parents within the framework of anticipated succession, are of course also covered by this. A move abroad to be with a (future) spouse whom the individual had met while studying abroad therefore needs to be carefully considered.
The exit tax is calculated in three steps:
The capital gain is then taxable at the personal income tax rate of up to 45 per cent plus a solidarity surcharge. Due to the partial income procedure, however, 40 per cent of this remains tax-free. This results in a maximum tax burden of 27 per cent plus a solidarity surcharge and, if applicable, church tax. The amount of the charge is similar to the withholding tax.
As a rule, the exit tax is due when the previously unrestricted taxpayer gives up his or her domicile or habitual residence in Germany. However, it is still possible to pay the assessed tax in seven equal annual instalments upon request.
This is also very important in practice. Because one or the other taxpayer is caught unawares by the sudden tax burden. They, in fact, did not sell their shares and therefore did not receive any liquidity with which they could pay their taxes. The possible payment by instalments mitigates the problem to some extent.
If, after the departure date, it turns out that the company shares have a higher value or a lower value than initially assumed, this does not alter the departure tax once it has been determined. A subsequent increase in value after the departure does not therefore increase the departure tax in Germany. Conversely, a subsequent reduction in the value of the capital shares since 2022 does not reduce the exit tax once it has been determined.
However, a subsequent increase in value will be taxable in the case of a later sale of the shares in the new state of residence (Art. 13 para. 5 of the OECD Model Convention). In detail, this depends on the tax law of the new state of residence and the double taxation agreement (DTA) concluded between the new state of residence and Germany.
To avoid exit taxation, the following measures are conceivable, for example:
We will be happy to advise you on questions relating to exit taxation and the associated tax structuring options for avoiding taxation or reducing the tax burden. Insofar as the tax law of foreign jurisdictions is affected in your case, we work closely with our numerous foreign cooperation partners, each of whom is an expert in their national tax law. Feel free to contact us.
Our team of tax lawyers and tax advisors has many decades of experience in international tax affairs and in working with high-net-worth individuals and their relevant asset classes (real estate, corporate investments, shares, cryptocurrencies, etc.). We will gladly support you:
The best way to contact our tax experts is by e-mail (info@winheller.com) or by telephone (+49 69 76 75 77 80). We look forward to your contact request!