FAQ
Find answers to the most common questions about AfA Sparen, useful life appraisals, and using depreciation for tax purposes.
Even with a long-term holding strategy, a shorter depreciation period can be beneficial because it shifts tax effects forward. That often means more liquidity in the early years—e.g., for reserves, renovations, or additional investments. The total depreciation is still limited by the depreciable building value, but the timing can change substantially.
A core refurbishment goes further: the building is largely stripped back to its structural elements (e.g., load-bearing structure remains) and major components and technical installations are renewed. Typical scope includes heating/water pipes, electrics, windows/doors, heating system and often roof/façade depending on condition. The goal is a condition functionally close to new, while preserving the structural framework.
The “standardized” useful life is a typified assumption used in tax practice. The economic remaining useful life is closer to reality: it describes how long the building can likely be used in an economically sensible way—depending on condition, construction, modernizations, and use.
An appraisal is often worthwhile if you own a rented property and the actual remaining useful life is materially shorter than the standardized useful life. It is particularly relevant for buildings that are roughly 30+ years old and have neither undergone a full core refurbishment within the last 25 years nor a comprehensive modernization within the last 15 years. You can check your case upfront using our free preliminary assessment.
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.
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
Bremen
Bremen's housing stock includes many existing residential properties with different construction backgrounds and refurbishment levels. Standard depreciation assumptions often do not fully capture these differences. A remaining useful life report can help property owners in Bremen establish a depreciation basis that better reflects the economic reality of their property.
