Inheritance tax Disclosure obligations of third parties

Contact the tax office responsible for you. You can find this out using the tax office search on the website of the Federal Central Tax Office.

If the testator was resident in Rhineland-Palatinate or Saarland at the time of death or the donor was resident in Saarland at the time the gift was made, the Kusel-Landstuhl tax office generally has local jurisdiction.

• Search for the responsible tax office

• Tax office Kusel-Landstuhl

In addition to the acquirer, third parties (persons/companies not belonging to the group of acquirers) are also obliged to provide the tax office with certain information in inheritance cases.

Duty of disclosure of asset custodians, asset managers and insurance companies

Anyone who engages in the business of safekeeping or managing the assets of third parties must notify the tax office responsible for the administration of inheritance tax in writing of the assets in their custody and the claims against them that were part of the deceased's assets at the time of death or over which the deceased had the power of disposal at the time of death.

The aforementioned duty of disclosure applies in particular to credit institutions.
Insurance companies must also notify the tax office in writing before paying out or making available sums insured or life annuities to someone other than the policyholder.
Notification may be waived if the value of the assets held in custody or the amount to be paid out by the insurance company does not exceed EUR 5,000.

Notification obligation of those who have issued registered shares or bonds

Those who have issued registered shares or bonds must notify the inheritance tax office in the event of the holder's death prior to any transfer.
Notification may be waived if the value of the securities held in custody does not exceed EUR 5,000.

As a rule, notifications must be made within one month of the administrator/custodian becoming aware of the death.

• § Section 33 Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act (ErbStG)
• Inheritance Tax Implementation Ordinance (ErbStDV)

The notifications must be made in accordance with the models set out in the Inheritance Tax Implementation Ordinance.
Models 1 and 2 must be observed for the notification obligation of asset custodians, asset managers and insurance companies.

• Inheritance Tax Implementation Ordinance (ErbStDV)

Further information on inheritance and gift tax can also be found on the homepage of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Finance.

• Questions and answers on inheritance and gift tax
• Tax tip brochure Inheritances and gifts

02.04.2025