Accurately calculate inheritance costs online
Calculate the costs of inheriting a property, including inheritance tax and additional expenses, quickly and easily with the Auctoa Inheritance Cost Simulator.
Immediate cost estimation
Consideration of individual allowances
Transparent cost breakdown
Understanding and Planning Inheritance Costs: Your Guide
Comprehensive analysis of all cost points
Clear Calculation of Inheritance Tax
Identification of Savings Potential
Preparation for Notary and Land Registry Fees
What are inheritance costs and what factors influence them?
Inheritance costs encompass all financial expenditures incurred in the event of an inheritance. The largest item is often the inheritance tax, the amount of which depends on the degree of kinship to the deceased and the value of the inherited assets. In addition to the tax, there may be further costs such as notary fees for the certificate of inheritance, land registry change costs, expenses for a property valuation, as well as potential estate agent fees on a sale or costs for opening the will. The settlement of the deceased's liabilities can also increase inheritance costs. Our inheritance costs simulator helps you to get an overview of these diverse aspects and to receive an initial, informed assessment of the burdens that are likely to befall you. A precise understanding of these factors is crucial for solid financial planning and to make informed decisions about the inherited assets, particularly real estate.
Your Financial Roadmap in the Event of Inheritance
Calculate inheritance costs transparently & easily
Tax Check
Calculate inheritance tax precisely and individually.
Value basis
Property value as the basis of your cost calculation.
Allowances
Ensure personal allowances are optimally considered.
Tax brackets
Correctly determine your inheritance tax class.
Additional costs
Notary, land registry, and surveyor in focus.
Scenarios
Simulate and compare various inheritance cases.
Cost overview
Detailed breakdown of all relevant items.
Time-saving
Quick results without lengthy research.
Planning certainty
Solid foundation for your financial decisions.
With the Auctoa Simulator, you quickly gain clarity about the costs involved.
Unsure about inheritance costs?
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The property value as a key factor for your inheritance costs
The value of an inherited property is a key factor in calculating inheritance tax and is therefore a significant component of the overall inheritance costs. Typically, the current market value is used for taxation purposes. An accurate property valuation, like the one offered by Auctoa with AI support, is therefore essential. If the value is set too low, additional demands from the tax office may arise. Conversely, a value set too high leads to an unnecessarily high tax burden. Our simulator takes various valuation bases into account and helps you understand how different property values affect your tax burden. Additionally, the property value is crucial for strategic considerations: Is it worth selling, renting out, or keeping the property? Knowing the exact value, supported by our data-driven analysis, forms the basis for your financial decisions in the event of inheritance.
Inheritance Tax: Allowances, Tax Classes and Their Significance
Inheritance tax in Germany is designed progressively and largely depends on two factors: the degree of kinship to the deceased (tax class) and the value of the inherited estate after deducting allowances. There are three tax classes (I, II, III) with different tax rates and allowances. Spouses and registered civil partners (tax class I) benefit from the highest allowances (€500,000) and the lowest tax rates. Children (also tax class I) have an allowance of €400,000. Different allowances and higher tax rates apply to grandchildren, parents, siblings, or unrelated heirs. Our inheritance cost simulator automatically takes these complex regulations into account. By entering the degree of kinship and the estimated value of the estate, you receive an accurate calculation of the expected inheritance tax, helping you to avoid financial surprises and optimally plan your liquidity.
Unavoidable additional costs: Notary, land register and appraiser in the event of inheritance
In addition to inheritance tax, there are often other significant incidental costs associated with an inheritance case. These primarily include notary fees, for instance, for applying for a certificate of inheritance or notarising an inheritance distribution agreement. The amount of these costs is based on the transaction value, i.e., the value of the estate. The transfer of ownership in the land register is also subject to fees; these land registry costs are likewise value-dependent. In many cases, especially with real estate, a professional valuation report is required or at least recommended to determine the correct market value for the tax office or an inheritance settlement. The costs for a real estate appraiser vary depending on the scope and complexity of the appraisal. Our inheritance cost simulator can give you an initial indication of which of these incidental costs could arise and approximately how much, based on your inputs regarding the property value and the inheritance situation.
How the Auctoa Inheritance Cost Simulator supports you
The Auctoa Inheritance Cost Simulator is your intelligent partner for quickly and easily gaining clarity on the financial aspects of a property inheritance. Simply enter the relevant data – such as the estimated value of the property, your relationship to the deceased, and any additional estate values – and our AI-powered tool will calculate a detailed estimate of the inheritance tax due, as well as an overview of other possible additional costs. The advantage lies in the quick availability of an initial guide, considering current legal regulations and presenting the results transparently. This allows you to explore various scenarios and better assess the impact on your financial situation. This enables you to make informed decisions, whether regarding the acceptance of the inheritance or the further use of the property. The simulator is an important initial step in our end-to-end self-service offering for heirs.
Property Valuation
AI-driven & data-driven to achieve fair value.
Strategy recommendation
Hold, sell or rent? We can help.
Matchmaking
Neutral mediation of brokers & appraisers.
Strategies to Reduce Inheritance Costs: Making Use of Legal Opportunities
The amount of inheritance costs, particularly inheritance tax, can be legally reduced under certain circumstances. Early estate planning by the testator, for example through lifetime gifts making use of the tax-free allowances that reset every ten years, can significantly reduce the future tax burden. Choosing the right will design (e.g., Berlin Will with compulsory portion penalty clauses or legacies) can also have a tax-optimising effect. For heirs themselves, it may be beneficial to claim certain estate liabilities or to check if exceptions, such as for the family home, apply. In the case of rented properties, valuation discounts may be utilised in certain circumstances. Our inheritance cost simulator does not directly assist with active tax planning, but it does provide you with the necessary data foundation to identify the need for action and, if necessary, to consult specialised advisors (tax consultants, inheritance law lawyers) who can support you specifically based on our transparent cost estimate.
Inheritance Costs Compared: Single-Family Home, Condominium, Multi-Family House
The type of inherited property has a direct impact on inheritance costs, primarily due to varying market values and potential valuation deductions. A detached family home in a desirable location typically has a higher market value than a small condominium, which, all else being equal, leads to higher inheritance tax. For rented properties, such as a multi-family house or a rented condominium, the legislator may grant a 10% valuation reduction on the market value, which can lower the tax burden. However, this regulation does not apply to owner-occupied properties, unless it is the family home, which can be inherited tax-free by the spouse or children under certain conditions. Our inheritance cost simulator allows you to get a more accurate estimate of the costs for your specific case by entering the specific property value and usage type, and to understand the differences between various property types.
Common sources of error and pitfalls in determining the costs of inheritance
When evaluating and planning inheritance costs, mistakes can easily occur that lead to financial disadvantages. A common error is underestimating the value of the property, which can result in additional payments and interest, or overestimating it, leading to unnecessarily high advance payments. Furthermore, disregarding or incorrectly applying allowances and tax classes is a common source of errors. Many heirs also forget to claim all deductible estate liabilities (e.g., the deceased's debts, funeral expenses), which could reduce the assessment basis for inheritance tax. Deadlines for the inheritance tax declaration or the assertion of compulsory portion claims must also not be missed. The Auctoa Inheritance Cost Simulator helps you circumvent many of these initial pitfalls through a structured inquiry of the most important parameters, providing a solid foundation for your further steps and potentially consulting experts.
Proactive estate planning to minimize future inheritance costs
Even if you have already become an heir, dealing with inheritance costs can be a prompt to consider your own estate planning. A well-thought-out, forward-looking plan can save your future heirs significant costs and effort. Instruments such as lifetime gifts (taking advantage of the 10-year exemption period), the creation of a tax-optimised will, the establishment of a family company, or taking out life insurance with targeted beneficiaries can legally minimise the inheritance tax burden. Transferring property with a reservation of usufruct is also a common strategy. The complexity of these issues generally requires professional advice from notaries, tax advisors, or specialist inheritance lawyers. The experiences you gain now as an heir with the costs involved can provide valuable insights for shaping your own future and highlight the importance of addressing this topic early on.
