German tax authorities collected a record €21.4 billion in inheritance and gift taxes in 2024, up 60.8% from the prior year, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office. The taxable volume of assets transferred through inheritances and gifts totaled €141.1 billion, marking a 23.1% increase compared with 2023.
The surge in tax revenue reflects higher valuations and an increase in large asset transfers, including business assets. Inheritance tax rose to €13.3 billion, a 57.1% increase from 2023, while gift tax reached €8.1 billion, up 67.3% year-over-year. The previous record for inheritance tax was set in 2021 at €9.0 billion, while gift tax has climbed steadily since 2019, when it totaled €1.2 billion.
The Federal Statistical Office noted that the rise in taxable transfers was partly driven by a 19% increase in business asset transfers, which amounted to €25.6 billion in 2024. Tax assessments by financial authorities determine the final tax amounts, which are then recorded as government revenue. The statistics exclude transfers that fall within tax-free allowances, as well as most inheritance and gift transactions that do not trigger tax liability.
