Inter Vivos Transfers of Ownership in Family Firms

Authors

James R. Hines Jr., University of Michigan Law SchoolFollow
Niklas Potrafke, Ifo Institute
Marina Riem, Ifo Institute
Christoph Schinke, Ifo Institute

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-2019

Abstract

This paper examines the determinants of inter vivos (lifetime) transfers of ownership in German family firms between 2000 and 2013. Survey evidence indicates that owners of firms with strong current business conditions transfer ownership at higher rates than others. When a firm’s self-described business condition improves from “normal” to “good,” the relative likelihood of an inter vivos transfer increases by 46 percent. Inter vivos transfer rates also rose following a 2009 reform that reduced transfer taxes. These patterns suggest that transfer taxes significantly influence rates and timing of inter vivos ownership transfers.

Comments

Reprinted with permission of Springer Journals.

Recommended Citation

Hines, James R., Jr. "Inter Vivos Transfers of Ownership in Family Firms." Niklas Potrafke, Marina Riem, and Christoph Schinke, co-authors. Int'l Tax & Pub. Fin. 26, no. 2 (2018): 225-56.