Apply for a building maintenance certificate for tax relief for modernisation and repair measures

You can apply for the certificate in writing as the owner of a building or as an authorised representative/representative of the owner. Since the certificate is issued object-related, you must always apply for an individual certificate for parts of the building that are independent immovable assets (for example, underground car park), as well as for condominiums and partially owned rooms. In the case of property developer or purchaser models and residential and partial ownership communities, you can instead apply for an overall certificate including the division into the individual parts of the building. To do this, you need the effective powers of attorney of the purchasers.

The competent certifying authority shall then verify:

• whether the building is located in a formally defined redevelopment area or urban development area,
• whether modernization and repair measures or other measures have been carried out for the preservation, renewal and functional use of a building that is to be preserved because of its historical, artistic or urban significance,
• the amount of the costs incurred for the eligible measures, and
• whether and to what extent subsidies from public funds have been approved by an authority responsible for redevelopment areas or urban development areas or are granted after the certificate has been issued.

In order to give you clarity at an early stage about the content of the expected certificate, the certifying authority can already give you a written assurance about the expected certificate. However, the assurance does not replace the certificate. It is therefore not suitable as proof when applying for tax advantages at the tax office.
In the case of legitimate interest, however, you can apply to the tax office for binding information on the expected basis of assessment of the tax advantages subject to a fee with the assurance.

The competent certifying authority is the city or municipality in which the building is located.

You will only receive the certificate for modernisation and repair measures on a building that is located in a formally defined redevelopment area or urban development area. Only those measures are eligible for certification to which the owner has committed himself before the start of the measure by:

• a modernization or repair requirement, or
• a written agreement with the municipality.

Measures include:

• modernisation and repair measures,
• other measures on buildings that are to be preserved because of their historical, artistic or urban significance,
• Measures for the rebuilding of a building with the greatest possible reuse of the old components as a renovation measure, if this reconstruction makes sense for structural, safety or economic reasons.

Not eligible for certification are, among others:

• the demolition and construction of buildings, such as the rebuilding of a building based on a historical model after the demolition or reconstruction of a destroyed building or part of a building (for example, in a vacant lot),
• Costs for the installation of photovoltaic systems.

• In the case of representation: copy of the power of attorney or proof of the power of representation,
• Plans Inventory,
• plans with registration of the measures,
• Justification of the obligation to take action by, for example, a modernization or repair requirement or a written modernization and repair agreement with the municipality,
• Original invoices (final invoices; Advance invoices and cost estimates do not replace final invoices),
• Receipts (must clearly identify quantity, item and price).

The certifying authority shall make the invoices available again to the owners of the buildings after examination and, where appropriate, correction.

The use of this administrative service is subject to a fee. The fees incurred are not eligible expenses. If the building is used to generate income, the fees incurred can be deducted as advertising costs or operating expenses.

§§ 7h, 10f and 11a Income Tax Act (EStG)

Certification guidelines for the application of §§ 7h, 10f and 11a of the Income Tax Act (EStG)

• § 177 Building Code (BauGB)

You can lodge an objection against the decision.

Submission of final invoices not possible?

If you are unable to submit the final invoices due to the insolvency of the developer, you must

• prove the insolvency of the developer and
• prove the beneficiary expenses/costs individually by trade by means of an expert opinion of a building expert to be submitted by the purchaser.

The purchase price paid to the developer constitutes the upper limit of the expenses eligible for certification. Flat-rate invoices from craftsmen can only be taken into account if the original offer on which the flat-rate contract is based is attached. If it is necessary for the examination of the individual services, the competent certifying authority may require the submission of the original calculation. Permit and inspection fees are among the costs of the approved or audited construction project.

21.02.2022