Jump to main content

Tax investigators at the door

Tax investigators at the door

Unannounced visits by the tax authorities are much more frequent in Italy than in Germany.

But even north of the Alps, a tax investigator can suddenly appear at a taxpayer's home if the taxpayer claims to have a home office that is used as a playroom for children. If, however, the taxpayer was not recalcitrant vis-à-vis the tax office and answered all questions truthfully, the Federal Fiscal Court (ruling of 12 July 2022, VIII R 8/19) holds that the tax investigator's visit to the home is unlawful because it violates the principle of proportionality.