A clause in a partnership agreement of a partnership (Personengesellschaft) which provides for a simple majority of votes for all shareholder resolutions may be interpreted as giving formal legitimation that all matters subject to a resolution by the shareholders are subject to the majority principle (Mehrheitsprinzip). This also includes so-called fundamental transactions (Grundlagengeschäfte) and interventions in the membership rights of shareholders. In principle, this formal legitimation also indicates the material legitimation of a shareholder resolution based on it, unless it is an exercise of majority power against the minority in breach of fiduciary duty.

In its ruling of 23 November 2022 – II R 37/19, the Federal Fiscal Court (Bundesfinanzhof – BFH) decided in favour of the foreign claimant that – unlike the direct acquisition of a domestic property – the bequest concerning the acquisition of a domestic property is not subject to limited inheritance tax liability.