Bundesportal | Apply for a Certificate of Exemption for Foreign Investors in Investment Funds Eligible for Tax Benefits

Complete online now

More Information

Publisher

Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF)

Last update or date of publication

July 23, 2026

Contact

The government service telephone number 115 – your point of contact for questions related to the federal, state and local.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 18:00 (and beyond these times in some regions).

Call 115 now

Government service telephone number calls are charged at local rates.

With a certificate of exemption, investment funds can verify the tax status of their foreign investors who are eligible for tax benefits.

Investment funds are generally subject to corporate income tax on their

domestic investment income,
domestic real estate income, and
other domestic income.

With this certificate, income from the investment fund is partially or fully tax-exempt.

As a foreign investor, you can apply for the exemption certificate from the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). You must submit the original of this certificate to your investment fund.

If you do not apply for a certificate of exemption or do not submit a certificate to the investment fund, the investment fund’s income is subject to corporate income tax.

Application for a Certificate of Exemption
Extract from the commercial register or comparable proof of registration in the country of origin
Proof of recognition of the nonprofit, charitable, or religious purposes in the country of origin
Articles of Incorporation, foundation charter, or other governing documents
Activity report
Statement of Revenues and Expenses
Cash report
Statement of financial position with supporting documentation regarding the establishment and development of reserves
Records of the receipt of donations and their appropriate use
Minutes of the Board of Directors, if applicable

Application for Issuance of a Certificate of Exemption Pursuant to Section 9 of the Investment Income Tax Act (InvStG)

Instructions for Applying for an Exemption Certificate Pursuant to Section 9 of the Investment Tax Act (InvStG)

Preconditions

They are among the foreign investors who enjoy tax benefits and hold interests in investment funds.
Investors must be residents of a country that provides administrative and debt collection assistance.
They are comparable to German, tax-exempt investors.
- Comparability exists when investors are
  - corporation,
  - association of persons, or
  - pool of assets.
As such, you must, according to
- the articles of incorporation,
- the foundation deed, or
- other governing documents, and in accordance with the actual conduct of business, serve exclusively and directly charitable, benevolent, or religious purposes.
They promote the tax-privileged purposes of natural persons or contribute to the reputation of the Federal Republic of Germany abroad.

Basis for legal action

§ 9 Investmentsteuergesetz (InvStG)

§§ 51 bis 68 Abgabenordnung (AO)

Legal Remedies

Appeal

For more information on how to file an appeal, please refer to the notice regarding your application for the exemption certificate.

Lawsuit before the Administrative Court

Procedure

You can submit your application for an exemption certificate online or in writing by mail to the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt).

If you would like to submit the application online:

Register on the online portal and for the Investment Tax Act (InvStG) – Exemption Certificate section.
The portal will guide you step by step through the application process and the required supporting documents.
The BZSt will review your application. If necessary, you may be asked to answer additional questions or submit further documentation.
If the BZSt approves your application, it will send you the issued exemption certificate online, provided you have not objected to this method of delivery.
- If you have objected to electronic delivery, you will receive the certificate by mail.
Forward your exemption certificate to the investment fund.
The investment fund will claim your tax benefit on your behalf with the tax authorities.

If you wish to submit your application by mail:

Download the form from the Federal Finance Administration’s (BFINV) Online Form Management System (FMS).
Fill out the application and print the application form.
The application form must be signed by a legal representative of the investors or their authorized agent.
Send the form, along with all required documents, to the headquarters of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) in Bonn.
The BZSt will review your application. If necessary, you may be asked to answer additional questions or submit further documentation.
If the BZSt approves your application, it will mail you the issued exemption certificate.
- Delivery of the exemption certificate by mail to a foreign country is only possible if permitted under international law. For some countries, international law does not permit the BZSt to send the certificates by mail. In these cases, it is mandatory to designate a German authorized representative to receive the documents.
Forward the original exemption certificate to the investment fund by mail.
The investment fund will claim your tax benefit on your behalf with the tax authorities.

Deadlines

Application deadline
6 months
You may apply for the exemption certificate retroactively for a maximum period of up to 6 months prior to the date of application. The date the application is received by mail is the determining factor.
Period of validity
3 years
You can apply for the certificate for a period of 3 years. The period may begin no more than 6 months before the date the application is filed.

Processing time

8 weeks
It may take up to 8 weeks to issue the certificate of exemption.

Selected region