Pensioners from Welkers surprise: Property tax B Now at 770 euros!

Pensioners from Welkers surprise: Property tax B Now at 770 euros!

In a first experience with the new property tax reform, a 71-year-old pensioner from Welkers, a municipality in the Fulda district, is faced with a new financial obligation. He has to pay a property tax B of 770 euros for the first time after some of its 4.5 hectare property was converted into a building area last year. So far, the pensioner had only paid property tax A that is raised for agricultural and forestry land. This is 312 euros this year and is therefore around 30 euros higher than in the previous year. The pensioner was surprised by the amount of property tax B, since he had no payments in this category in the past. Fuldaer Zeitung reports that the property has been in his possession since 1982 and was originally acquired in 1908 by his grandfather.

While part of the area was recently used for agriculture, the pensioner plans that his daughter may be able to build on the reduced area. The decision on property tax was checked in cooperation with a tax advisor and the community and found to be correct. Interestingly, the municipality of Eichenzell followed the requirements of the State of Hesse and did not increase the lifting rates for property tax.

The property tax reform in Hesse

The property tax reform, which will be effective from January 1, 2025, brings with it some changes in Hessen. The state uses the area-factor model, whereby the lifting rates are determined by the municipalities. This was introduced in combination with new calculation guidelines and a review of the evaluation process in order to accurately map the different conditions of the land. Further information on the reform and the specific lifting rates can be found on the website of the Hessische Finanzamts .

However, the reform is not implemented uniformly in Germany. Some federal states follow the federal model, while others have enacted their own laws. In Hesse, the lifting rates are expected to be communicated transparently by the municipalities in order to enable the citizens to make a conscious decision.

effects and outlook

The pensioner from Welkers may soon see further challenges. He expects possible increase in property tax in the coming years that could bring additional financial burdens to him. These adjustments are part of the broader changes associated with the property tax reform in Germany.

Property tax B, which has been charged since 2025 according to the new requirements, ensures discussions, especially in urban and devoted areas. The tax measurement figures, for example, vary greatly from state to state, which has led to numerous consultations and explanations at the local level in recent months.