This paper examines the effects of real estate transfer taxes (RETT) on property prices using a rich micro dataset of roughly 17 million German properties for the period from 2005 to 2019. Our empirical analysis exploits variation in RETT rate hikes across German states and over time. Our monthly event study estimates indicate a price response that strongly exceeds the change in the tax burden for single transactions. Twelve months after a reform, a one percentage point increase in the tax rate reduces property prices by on average 3%. Price effects are larger for apartments (-4%) than for single-family houses (-2%). Exploring potential mechanisms, we provide evidence that different holding periods are the main driver of the differential price effect between property types.

Please note that the main data that we use is proprietary to the firm FuB IGES. The online replication package includes our do-files, a codebook of our main data, and the resulting log files, tables and figures. For the purpose of replication, the data, along with all code, can be accessed at the Economics and Business Data Center (EBDC) of the ifo Institute and the University of Munich. The EBDC offers researchers to use its facilities and access the data stored there at no costs. Further information about the EBDC can be found here: https://www.ifo.de/en/EBDC.