Selling an inherited home in Bolzano: succession, heirs and tax

Before selling an inherited home in South Tyrol you need the succession and the heirs' entry in the land register. Here are the steps, who must agree and what you pay.

To sell an inherited home in Bolzano three steps are needed: the succession return filed with the Revenue Agency, the certificate of inheritance issued by the court, and the heirs' entry in the land register (Libro fondiario). Then all co-owning heirs must consent. Selling an inherited property generally incurs no capital gains tax.

The steps, in order

Succession return. Filed with the Revenue Agency within twelve months of the death, usually through a professional or a tax assistance centre (CAF). It includes the cadastral transfer.
Acceptance of the inheritance. Whoever sells must have accepted the inheritance; the sale itself counts as acceptance, but the notary will check the chain of transfers.
Certificate of inheritance. Under South Tyrol's land register system, a certificate of inheritance issued by the court at the heirs' request is needed to register the new owners.
Entry of the heirs. With the certificate, the heirs' registration in the land register is requested. From then on the home can be sold.
Agreement between heirs and sale. All co-owners sign the listing agreement and then the deed, or one sells only their share.

If the heirs do not agree

Selling the whole home requires everyone's consent. If one heir wants to keep it, they can buy out the others' shares: this needs a shared value, and that is where an independent valuation prevents many arguments. If no agreement is reached, there is court-ordered division, which is long and expensive: best kept as a last resort.

Tax on selling an inherited home

Capital gains: for property received through inheritance, generally not due, even if you sell straight away.
Inheritance tax: paid with the succession return, not on the sale; there is an allowance for spouses and children.
IMI: until the sale, the heirs pay the municipal property tax.

Every case has its own details: have your situation checked by the notary or an accountant.

A home to clear or to fix up

Inherited homes often need renovating. Doing work before selling does not always pay: many buyers prefer to pay less and renovate their own way. Clearing and a thorough clean, on the other hand, almost always help. In the calculator you can choose "needs renovation" to see the range in the current condition.

An inherited farmhouse (maso)

For closed farms ("maso chiuso") inheritance follows its own rules, with a single heir taking over and protection of the farm's unity. It is a case that needs a notary experienced in this area.

Frequently asked questions

Can I sell an inherited home before the succession is complete?

No: the succession return must be filed first and, in South Tyrol, a certificate of inheritance obtained so the heirs can be entered in the land register. Only then can the deed of sale be signed.

Is there tax on selling an inherited home?

For inherited property there is generally no capital gains tax, unlike property bought less than five years ago. Still, check your case with the notary or an accountant.

What if the heirs do not agree on the sale?

To sell the whole home, all co-owners must agree. Without agreement you can only sell your own share or ask for a division, possibly in court: it is better to look for an agreement first, starting from a shared valuation.

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