Do I have to pay taxes on inheritance from Germany?
James Olson
Updated on March 10, 2026
You’ll be liable to pay inheritance tax in Germany if either the beneficiary is a German taxpayer, the deceased was a German taxpayer, or certain assets are located in Germany. In the case of an inheritance, it’s down to the heir to pay both inheritance tax and any debts left by the deceased.
Can foreigners inherit property in USA?
Can Noncitizens Inherit Property? One threshold question you may have is simply whether you can leave property to someone who isn’t a U.S. citizen. The answer is yes; noncitizens can inherit property just as citizens can.
Does Germany tax foreign inheritance?
With some exceptions (e.g. extended unlimited tax liability for German citizen) the taxation does not depend on the citizenship of the decedent or the beneficiary and foreigners are taxed under the same rules as German citizen.
What is the inheritance law in Germany?
Under Germany’s inheritance laws a decedent’s property passes directly to his or her heirs at the time of death. The same rule applies to the decedent’s obligations, which means that in addition to any assets you may inherit, you inherit the debts in Germany as well.
Do I pay tax on overseas inheritance?
When overseas inheritance tax is charged Overseas inheritances and distributions from overseas trusts are taxable if any part of the distribution represents income. Sometimes capital gains in another jurisdiction (country) become classified as income in New Zealand because of FIF or financial arrangements rules.
Do I pay tax on inheritance from abroad?
If you’ve inherited money from abroad, there may be inheritance tax on the estate of the deceased. These taxes are often acquired from the estate itself and are paid by the executor to the government where the assets are held.
Can a non-US citizen inherit a 401k?
First, it is possible to name a non-U.S. citizen as a retirement account beneficiary. The retirement account could be an IRA, a 401(k), or a similar account. If the administrator determines that your beneficiary is a foreign person, it will withhold 30% of retirement plan distributions to that person to pay taxes.
Is a foreign inheritance taxable in the US?
No, the IRS does not impose taxes on foreign inheritance or gifts if the recipient is a U.S. citizen or resident alien. However, you may need to pay taxes on your inheritance depending on your state’s tax laws.
How does inheritance work in Germany for US citizens?
Under German law, you have a very limited amount of time to make a claim for your share of the assets. If you fail to assert your right to inherit or wait too long to claim your share, you forfeit your right to take ownership of your portion of the decedent’s assets.
Can a US citizen be the beneficiary of a foreign inheritance?
When an American Citizen is the beneficiary of an inheritance in a will from a foreign relative who does not have US Citizenship, a great number of questions can arise about the tax implications of a foreign inheritance and the logistics of transferring financial interest or ownership of valuable assets over international boundaries.
Who are the heirs of an estate in Germany?
According to German law, the estate located in Germany of a decedent underlies the principle of ‘universal succession,’ meaning that the heirs become owners of the decedent’s estate upon his death.
What kind of property is exempt from inheritance tax in Germany?
If there’s a property that’s been used as the family residence before the deceased passed away, it is exempt from German estate tax as long as: Real estate that has a public interest, and community- or jointly-owned property, is also exempt.