FAQ
Find answers to the most common questions about AfA Sparen, useful life appraisals, and using depreciation for tax purposes.
The assessment follows recognized valuation principles, including key concepts reflected in the German valuation framework (e.g., ImmoWertV principles). Core inputs include year of construction/age, construction type, maintenance level, defects and damages, modernizations (type, scope, timing), usage type, and technical equipment. Modernizations can extend useful life; significant deficiencies can shorten it.
Depreciation reduces your taxable income because part of the building value is recognized as an expense each year. If a shorter remaining useful life results in higher annual depreciation, your tax burden may decrease—often improving liquidity and cash flow.
As standard you receive your appraisal within 3–5 business days once we have all the information we need. The Express option is faster. If an on-site inspection is included, the appointment depends on local availability; missing documentation or follow-up questions can extend the timeline further.
Many tax offices expect an on-site inspection for remaining useful life evidence—or at least consider it a strong quality indicator. We recommend ordering the inspection upfront, as it helps document condition more robustly and often reduces follow-up questions.
In practice, the determined remaining useful life usually remains relevant as long as there are no material changes to the property (e.g., major modernization, change of use, or significant damage). If such changes occur, a reassessment may be appropriate.
Still have questions? Our team is happy to help.
Our Process
A clearly structured process – from the initial assessment to confident tax use.
We review, without obligation, whether your property may benefit from a reduced remaining useful life – quickly and without risk.
If a potential benefit is identified, you can commission the appraisal in just a few clicks. The report is prepared by certified expert appraisers (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024).
Your property is professionally assessed and documented in a technically, economically and tax-relevant manner.
We support you in using the appraisal correctly for your tax return and assist with any follow-up questions.
Check whether a certified depreciation report may be worthwhile for you.
Check Your SavingsStart with a free initial assessment of your personal depreciation.
No obligation • Report delivery possible within 3–5 business days
We prepare appraisals across Germany – the remaining useful life follows the same federal tax law everywhere.
Local Tax Offices
You can identify which tax office is responsible for you by the first 2-4 digits of your tax number.
Local pages with tax offices, building-age patterns and answers for your region.
Create a solid basis for increased depreciation with a certified remaining useful life report for tax purposes. Benefit from a simple online submission, expert review by certified appraisers, and a report that serves as a reliable basis for your tax return.
Whether a valuation report reduces your annual tax burden depends on your individual case.
100+ property owners across Germany have already optimized their depreciation with AfA Sparen.
Benefits
Create a well-founded basis for your depreciation with a traceable remaining useful life assessment.
The shorter the professionally substantiated remaining useful life, the higher the annual depreciation allowance. This can reduce your tax burden and improve your cash flow.
Our reports are prepared by certified expert appraisers (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024) and are clearly documented and fully traceable – providing a reliable basis for tax-related use.
Tax savings directly affect your net return. Especially for older properties or buildings with renovation requirements, a valuation report may prove worthwhile depending on the individual case.
100+ professionally substantiated valuation reports in the past 3 years
Augsburg
Augsburg has a considerable number of residential properties with long construction histories and varying levels of modernisation. In such cases, standard depreciation periods may not reflect the building's actual economic condition. A remaining useful life report supports property owners in Augsburg in adjusting depreciation to the individual characteristics of their property.
