Bismarck's hunting lodge: tax haven for 21 companies in the Saxony Forest?

Bismarck's hunting lodge: tax haven for 21 companies in the Saxony Forest?

In the heart of the Sachsenwald, where nature has the upper hand and the peace of the forests reigns, lies a tranquil hunting lodge that has become the focus of a heated discussion in recent months. In October 2022, the ZDF magazine Royale and the “Ask the State” initiative revealed that at least 21 companies had registered their headquarters in this inconspicuous building, which belongs to the von Bismarck family. All affected companies rejected the allegations that they were shell companies used to avoid taxes, as ln-online.de reported.

A look at the local conditions shows an old hunting lodge by the pond, surrounded by dense forest. The location is reserved for two categories of companies – management and holding companies. Hamburg-based Aves One GmbH is an important example; It runs eight subsidiaries at this address, all of which have relocated their headquarters here. Why? The trade tax rate in this unincorporated area is 275 percent, which is extremely favorable compared to Hamburg (470 percent). This is a hit for companies that want to optimize their tax burden, as fragdenstaat.de explains.

Tax haven in the Sachsenwald

The public perception of companies locating in Sachsenwald increasingly has the impression of a tax haven. Gregor von Bismarck, the great-great-grandson of the former Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, is seen as the operator of this model. As a landowner, he can determine the trade tax rate himself and has largely made it comfortable for himself. While some companies advertise sustainability, the actual use of the offices in the hut remains questionable. A wildlife camera documented little to no active business activity in eight weeks - 25 people were identified as presumably tourists. Letters to local companies were also sent to alternative addresses in Bismarck's administration, raising concerns about transparency.

The topic is also hotly debated in the political arena. The state government is planning a restructuring of unincorporated areas in order to assign them to municipal units and subject them to legal regulations. The hope is that transparency and fair tax practices should become established, not an easy task, as developments throughout Germany show. Tax avoidance through such corporate structures is by no means an isolated case and leads to significant revenue losses for municipalities, estimated at around one billion euros in Germany, as tagesschau.de highlights.

A dialogue about responsibility

The problem that arises here has far-reaching social and financial implications. While the company Aves One operates successfully with its holdings in the Sachsenwald, the question remains to what extent the common good is affected here. Tax dumping is a sensitive issue that is discussed not only locally but also at a national level. Tax reversal models for trade taxes are required in order to counteract tax evasion with a clear legal framework. A move that seems urgently necessary if we want to avoid abuse and unfair competition conditions.

Overall, it shows that the Sachsenwald is not only a place of natural wealth, but also a focal point for economic discussions, regulatory challenges and long-term changes. Responsibility lies not only with the landowner, but also with the media and politicians, who have to deal with these complex relationships. How the situation will develop further remains to be seen.