Drastic property tax increases: Pensioners report in Dipperz!

Drastic property tax increases: Pensioners report in Dipperz!

The property tax reform in Germany, which came into force on January 1, 2025, presented many owners with unexpected challenges. The tenants and homeowners in Dipperz are particularly affected, where the new regulations have already led to drastic increases in property tax notices. Two pensioners, Waldemar Held (81) and Günther Kohlmann (66), report on considerable price increases.

Waldemar Held now has to pay 770 euros in property tax for his 60 square meter house, an increase of only 58 euros before. Günther Kohlmann is also faced with a new property tax of 970 euros, while he previously only had to pay 58 euros. It is striking that neighbors with identical properties have to pay significantly lower amounts, namely 150, 250 and 100 euros. These differences have led to the Held and Kohlmann in demand at the Fulda tax office, but their questions remained without sufficient explanation.

The background of the increase

The property tax has been charged since 2025 based on a new assessment basis based on three parameters: the area of ​​the property, the type of use of the building area and the location quality. These factors lead to greatly varying property tax notices, since differences in the living space can arise from basement rooms or expanded attics. Even holiday homes that are rented to changing guests are subject to other tax measurement numbers.

For the municipalities, the reform should actually be new. In fact, however, many examples show that the income in different communities increases significantly. Dipperz, for example, has a current rate of 320 percent for property tax B, although it was recommended to remain at 224 percent. Those affected should be aware that increasing lifting rates are one of the main causes for the drastic increases.

The Hessian tax administration has issued lifting rate recommendations that are intended to ensure a fair and transparent calculation of property tax. These recommendations are based on a comparison of the tax measurement amounts under the old and new law and are intended to help the municipalities to make the necessary adjustments to ensure a stable income situation. Lifting scale adjustments for 2024 are still possible, with increases only being carried out by June 30th.

options for those affected by taxpayers

For affected owners, there are some steps that you can take.^1 First, the new notices should be thoroughly checked for errors, since incorrect information can be caused to provide excessive tax. In the event of uncertainties, an error -resistant update can be requested from the tax office. Although an objection to the property tax notices in North Rhine-Westphalia is not recommended, those affected can try to influence the lifting rate design through citizen participation.

Support by organizations such as the federal government of taxpayers can also be helpful. These require fair calculations and the preservation of affordable housing costs. In municipalities with high property tax burdens in particular, it is important to find out about the existing regulations and any hardship regulations.

The current situation in Dipperz is an example of how complex the implementation of the property tax reform is and how different the effects on owners can be. Without clear information on the part of the offices, many citizens feel calm and urgently need support and clarity.

Fuldaer Zeitung reports that the differences in the property tax assessments are found, such as location, property area and the use of use. In its publications, the Federation of Taxpayers explains how those affected should proceed in the event of increases in property tax, while the Hessian tax administration publishes recommendations regarding the lifting rates to ensure fair taxation.