Gewerbesteuer minimum raised to 280% (BGBl I Nr.197, 02.07.2026) — cash‑flow & property‑holding‑GmbH checklist for foreign investors

The change in one sentence

The Neuntes Gesetz zur Änderung von Vorschriften im Steuerberatungsrecht sowie im Steuerrecht was published in the Bundesgesetzblatt as BGBl. I Nr. 197 on 02.07.2026 and raises the statutory minimum municipal multiplier (Mindesthebesatz) for the Gewerbesteuer from 200 % to 280 %, to be applied for the Erhebungszeitraum (assessment year) 2027. ([dejure.org](https://dejure.org/BGBl/BGBl._2026_I_Nr._197?utm_source=openai))

Why it matters for foreign investors (brief)

Gewerbesteuer is a local tax whose municipal multiplier (Hebesatz) is set by each Gemeinde. For companies the Steuermessbetrag is calculated from the taxable trade profit and then multiplied by the municipal Hebesatz; raising the statutory minimum Hebesatz increases the floor below which municipalities cannot set their rates. If your target or holding vehicle is a GmbH that pays trade tax, an increase of the minimum Hebesatz can raise annual cash‑tax outflows materially from assessment year 2027 onward. ([gesetze-im-internet.de](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewstg/BJNR009790936.html?utm_source=openai))

Immediate cash‑flow checklist (what to run and when)

1) Confirm the effective date for your target: treat the change as applying to the Erhebungszeitraum 2027 for municipal trade tax. Re‑run your 2027 pro‑forma with the higher minimum Hebesatz. ([bundesfinanzministerium.de](https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Gesetzestexte/Gesetze_Gesetzesvorhaben/Abteilungen/Abteilung_IV/21_Legislaturperiode/2025-08-07-9-Gesetz-Aenderung-StBerG/2-Regierungsentwurf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2&utm_source=openai))

2) Verify the local Hebesatz of the municipality where the property (or holding GmbH) is registered. If that municipality previously used a rate below 280 %, expect this floor to rise to 280 % unless the municipality sets a higher rate. Municipal rates remain publicly published by each city or by the statistical offices; do not assume the national minimum equals the actual local rate. ([gesetze-im-internet.de](https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/gewstg/BJNR009790936.html?utm_source=openai))

3) Recalculate monthly or quarterly distributable cash. For a GmbH, put the additional annual trade‑tax charge through the dividend/distribution and debt‑service model: show worst‑case (local rate = 280 %) and municipality‑specific scenarios (if the local council sets a higher Hebesatz). Keep both scenarios in your lender pack. (This is modelling instruction, not tax advice.)

Checklist items specific to property‑holding GmbHs

1) Confirm Gewerbesteuer liability: whether a company is subject to trade tax depends on the nature and scale of activity. Pure passive holding versus commercial business can lead to different outcomes; do not assume passive ownership is automatically outside trade‑tax scope. Engage a German Steuerberater to confirm status before relying on old assumptions.

2) Cash buffering: increase projected tax‑cash reserves for 2027 by the simulated additional trade tax. Lenders and notaries often require cash‑flow sensitivity tests; include the higher‑Hebesatz case.

3) Debt service and covenant review: present amended DSCR and covenant headroom to lenders early. If the deal uses a property‑holding GmbH as borrower, expect lenders to re‑price or ask for more equity where trade tax materially reduces free cash flow.

4) Transaction structure check: if you are evaluating acquisition via share deal vs. asset deal, notify your tax counsel — increased local trade tax rates may change post‑deal cash flows and payback timing. Do not restructure without professional advice.

Practical next steps and professional contacts

1) Obtain the BGBl text and the relevant sections of the GewStG for your files (BGBl. I Nr. 197, 02.07.2026; §16 GewStG now references 280 % as the minimum). ([dejure.org](https://dejure.org/BGBl/BGBl._2026_I_Nr._197?utm_source=openai))

2) Ask a German Steuerberater experienced in real‑estate taxation to: confirm whether the holding is Gewerbebetrieb, re‑run the 2027 trade‑tax computation, and advise on filing and payment timing. 3) Inform your lender and update the information pack with the higher‑Hebesatz scenario. 4) If you have municipality‑specific questions about local council decisions on Hebesatz, contact the Finanzamt or the city finance department; they publish the current municipal rate. For general background and the government explanatory text see the Bundesfinanzministerium materials. ([bundesfinanzministerium.de](https://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/Content/DE/Gesetzestexte/Gesetze_Gesetzesvorhaben/Abteilungen/Abteilung_IV/21_Legislaturperiode/2025-08-07-9-Gesetz-Aenderung-StBerG/2-Regierungsentwurf.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2&utm_source=openai))