1
Free Initial Assessment
We review, without obligation, whether your property may benefit from a reduced remaining useful life – quickly and without risk.
Cologne
Remaining Useful Life (AfA) Reports in Cologne
Cologne has a broad housing stock ranging from historic buildings to post-war and modernised residential properties. Especially for existing assets, the actual economic remaining useful life can differ materially from standard depreciation assumptions. A remaining useful life report helps property owners in Cologne substantiate depreciation in a realistic and property-specific way.
Before
✕ No AppraisalAfter
✓ AfAMax AppraisalDepr. Rate2.00%
Useful Life50 Years
Depreciation/Year€9,400
Tax Savings/Year€3,572
3.33% by Appraisal
Depr. Rate3.33%
Useful Life30 Years
Depreciation/Year€15,667
Tax Savings/Year€5,953
+€2,381
additionalLiquidity p.a.
Our Process
Your Fast Path to Your Appraisal
A clearly structured process – from the initial assessment to confident tax use.
2
Commission the Appraisal
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).
3
Preparation of the Appraisal
Your property is professionally assessed and documented in a technically, economically and tax-relevant manner.
4
For Your Tax Return
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 SavingsBenefits
Why is a valuation report worthwhile?
Maximise your tax advantages with a professionally substantiated and tax-compliant remaining useful life assessment.
Higher depreciation & improved liquidity
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.
Tax-compliant foundation
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.
Noticeably improved returns
Tax savings directly affect your net return. Especially for older properties or buildings with renovation requirements, a valuation report can quickly prove worthwhile.
Over 300 professionally substantiated valuation reports in the past three years
Local Tax Offices
Responsible Tax Offices in Cologne
You can identify which tax office is responsible for you by the first 2-4 digits of your tax number.
Finanzamt Köln-Altstadt(5214)
Am Weidenbach 2-4, 50676 Köln
0211 1655-1655Finanzamt Köln-Ost(5218)
Siegesstraße 1, 50679 Köln
0211 1655-1655Ready to optimize your tax depreciation?
Get your personal depreciation assessment and take the first step today.
No obligation • Report delivery possible within 3–5 business days
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about AfAMax, useful life appraisals, and using depreciation for tax purposes.
All required information is collected through our calculator in a structured way. Typical inputs include basic building details (year of construction, construction type, areas), modernizations/refurbishments, condition and defects, use (residential/commercial) and—if available—documents such as floor plans, an energy certificate, and supporting evidence. The process guides you step by step and shows exactly what is needed when.
Yes—this can be possible, especially for tax years that have not yet become final (i.e., where no final tax assessment notice is in place). In such cases, a shorter actual remaining useful life can be applied and the remaining tax basis of the building may be reallocated accordingly. In practice, depreciation is determined on a yearly basis and can be reassessed. Please coordinate the specific implementation with your tax advisor.
For tax purposes, land is generally assumed not to wear out. Buildings, however, deteriorate over time due to age, use, and technical obsolescence. Therefore, only the building portion (not the land) is depreciable.
1) Free preliminary assessment in our calculator. 2) Data entry and—if needed—upload or supplementation of documents. 3) Preparation of the appraisal report by a certified expert. 4) Delivery of the report and a cover letter to support submission to the tax office (typically via your tax filing).
You receive a well-documented appraisal report on the property’s actual remaining useful life as a PDF via email. In addition, you get a practical cover letter template (pre-drafted by a tax advisor) that you can submit together with the report as part of your tax filing.
Still have questions? Our team is happy to help.
Start Your Property Valuation Today
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.
Online submission in just a few minutes
Optional express processing available
In many cases, a valuation report leads to a noticeable reduction in annual tax burden.
300+ property owners across Germany have already optimized their depreciation with AfAMax.