What is the asset limit for tax-deductible maintenance payments?
If you provide financial support to a relative, you may be able to deduct the maintenance payments for tax purposes as exceptional expenses under certain conditions (§ 33a para. 1 EStG). An important condition: The person you support must have only limited assets.
Asset limit: 15.500 Euro
The asset limit is 15.500 Euro. If the assets of the person you support exceed this amount, the tax office will not recognise the maintenance payments for tax purposes.
What is not counted as assessable assets? (Protected assets)
Certain assets are disregarded – they are considered protected assets. These include, for example:
- a reasonably self-occupied residential property,
- assets whose realisation would constitute an economic hardship (e.g. very unfavourable sale value).
BFH ruling of 29.02.2024: Clarification on the asset limit
The Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) confirmed in its ruling of 29 February 2024 (VI R 21/21) that the limit of 15.500 Euro still applies.
The case:
A father wanted to deduct maintenance payments for his son for tax purposes. The tax office refused because the son had a bank balance of 15.950 Euro on 01.01.2019 – above the limit.
However, this amount included an advance payment of 500 Euro for January, which only became effective for tax purposes in 2019 (§ 11 EStG). The BFH ruled: This advance payment must not be included in the asset calculation.
The assessable assets were therefore only 15.450 Euro – and thus below the limit. The maintenance payments were therefore deductible.
Unchanged since 1975: No increase in the asset limit
Despite inflation and rising living costs, the BFH considers the limit to be sufficient. It is well above the tax-free allowance (2025: 12.096 Euro) and is intended to provide those affected with a small nest egg.
The BFH also clarifies: Monthly maintenance payments only count as assets if they are not used up promptly.
Conclusion: Asset limit remains at 15.500 Euro in 2025
Also in the 2025 tax year:
Maintenance payments can only be deducted for tax purposes if the assets of the person supported do not exceed 15.500 Euro. Taxpayers should therefore carefully check whether all conditions are met to avoid problems with the tax office.
