Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia's Finance Minister Marcus Optendrenk (CDU) has given figures for the first time on the property tax returns submitted to the tax offices. "We are in fourth place nationwide with over 15 percent of declarations received - that's over a million declarations," said Optendrenk of the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post" (Saturday). According to Optendrenk, the national average is 14 percent. "Nevertheless, I would wish that we were much further along."
He again ruled out a change of model: "It would be legally possible in theory, but would have dramatic consequences in practice. If we switched now, we wouldn't be ready in time for January 1, 2025, and the property tax for the municipalities would be completely eliminated."
The submission deadline is October 31st. The minister spoke out against an extension of the deadline. "Experience shows us that it is quite normal for deadlines to be exploited as much as possible. We know this from filing income tax returns."
So far, property tax has been calculated using so-called standard values. In the old federal states, they were based on the value ratios in 1964, in the new federal states even in 1935. However, they did not reflect the actual value development. The Federal Constitutional Court therefore declared the calculation method to be unconstitutional and called for a new regulation. Nationwide, all property must now be revalued by the tax authorities and the tax must be reassessed.
