Shock for Görlitz owners: property tax explodes to 1.5 million euros!

Shock for Görlitz owners: property tax explodes to 1.5 million euros!

Things remain quiet in Görlitz in connection with the ongoing property tax reform. This reform aims to value over 2.5 million property units in Saxony, as the city administration explains on its website. The dispatch of new property tax notices began on January 10, 2025 and replaces the old, outdated notices. The new property tax values ​​and assessment amounts in particular are causing some excitement among owners. But the nerves could be calmed because not everything that comes along is bad.

One example is the Görlitz homeowner Thomas M., who received the new property tax values ​​in October 2022. According to his decision, his property, which is used for both residential and office purposes, will be significantly more expensive in the future. While he was confronted with increased values ​​in January 2023, he lodged an objection and was successful, so that his tax burden initially decreased. In October 2024, his property tax value fell from 959,000 euros to 293,000 euros, which promised noticeable relief. But in January 2025 the shock came: the value rose again to 1.5 million euros and the property tax to 4,840 euros. Again it was time to raise an objection.

Reasons for value differences

According to information from the Görlitz tax office, such differences in the notices are often referred to as “isolated cases”. These deviations can be explained by different standard land values ​​and the gross floor area. Tax office manager Michael Glanz explains that not all requirements for a core renovation have to be met at the same time in order to increase the value of a property. This should give potential owners hope that they too could have their property tax values ​​checked.

Another circumstance is the revenue neutrality for the city of Görlitz. Higher assessments could increase the city's revenue, but that is in direct contradiction to the goal of evenly distributing the tax burden. To counteract this, the city council can change the property tax assessment rate retroactively for the current year by June 30th.

Recommendations for owners

The city administration also advises checking standing orders for property tax, as old notices have lost their effectiveness. Anyone who has issued a SEPA direct debit mandate can consider themselves lucky, as the direct debit will only take place after receiving the new notice. However, owners should be prepared that these new regulations could lead to higher operating costs for tenants, who often have to cover the not insignificant property taxes.

The issue of property tax is not only important for property owners, but also affects the financing of municipal services such as schools, kindergartens and sports facilities. Every year, over 15 billion euros from property taxes flow into the coffers of cities and municipalities nationwide, as the Federal Ministry of Finance emphasizes. A correct assessment is therefore more than just an administrative act - it has far-reaching consequences for the public infrastructure and the quality of life on site.

The challenges surrounding property tax reform will continue to stir people's minds. Even if some owners like Thomas M. are affected by unexpected and high tax assessments, it remains important to understand that this reform was necessary in conjunction with the legal requirements of the Federal Constitutional Court in order to correct the previous, unconstitutional assessments. The good news? All income stays locally and goes towards improving urban living conditions.

For further information on the property tax reform and its implementation in Görlitz, those interested can consult the city's homepage Görlitz and the Federal Ministry of Finance. Addressing these issues is now more important than ever.