Find answers to the most common questions about AfAMax, useful life appraisals, and using depreciation for tax purposes.
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.
Your appraisal is prepared by experts who are approved across Europe and certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17024. This is an important quality indicator and supports the report’s credibility and traceability.
In principle, yes—provided the report is technically sound, plausible, and transparent. Following the German Federal Fiscal Court ruling of 28/07/2021 (case IX R 25/19), a shorter actual useful life can be applied when supported by an appropriate proof. Please note that laws, administrative practice, and case law can change over time; seek tax advice if needed.
The free preliminary assessment in our calculator needs no documents at all — only basic building details (year of construction, construction type, areas, modernizations, condition, use). If you then commission the appraisal, the purchase contract is the most important document: it determines how the purchase price is split between land and building, and therefore the base your depreciation is calculated on. Floor plans, a living area calculation, an energy certificate, the sales listing and — for apartments — owners association meeting minutes are also helpful. We do not need building authority records. We tell you upfront what is actually required in your case.
A comprehensive refurbishment usually means more than cosmetic renovation. Key building components and technical systems are renewed or substantially repaired in a holistic way—such as major upgrades to electrical systems, heating, or piping—resulting in a materially improved overall condition.
Still have questions? Our team is happy to help.
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.
Find out how much you could save with a certified depreciation report.
Check Your SavingsGet your personal depreciation assessment and take the first step today.
No obligation • Report delivery possible within 3–5 business days
You can identify which tax office is responsible for you by the first 2-4 digits of your tax number.
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.
In many cases, a valuation report leads to a noticeable reduction in annual tax burden.
500+ property owners across Germany have already optimized their depreciation with AfAMax.
Maximise your tax advantages with a professionally substantiated and tax-compliant 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 can quickly prove worthwhile.
500+ professionally substantiated valuation reports in the past 3 years
Hanover has a diverse housing stock across different construction periods and refurbishment stages. For older residential properties, the actual economic remaining useful life can differ materially from standard AfA rates. A remaining useful life report helps property owners in Hanover derive a property-specific and tax-ready depreciation basis.
