With its judgment of 28 November 2016, the German Supreme Tax Court (Bundesfinanzhof; BFH) dismissed the application of the tax administration's so-called restructuring decree (Sanierungserlass). The restructuring decree allowed, subject to certain conditions, a suspension and abatement of taxes on so-called cancellation of debt income (COD Income) otherwise resulting from certain recapitalization measures such as the waiver of debt and debt-to-equity swaps.

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the council on preventive restructuring frameworks, second chance and measures to increase the efficiency of restructuring, insolvency and discharge procedures and amending Directive 2012/30/EU

In brief

In brief

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped the global business landscape. Some companies that only months ago seemed unstoppably profitable have been brought to an existential brink by extended lockdowns, supply chain failures, and other obstacles caused by the pandemic. Other companies who have experienced less disruption (or in some cases windfalls) stand at the threshold of opportunity even as they prepare themselves for the challenges of the 'new normal'.

In response to the COVID-10 pandemic, the German legislator enacted a new law to suspend the mandatory obligations to file for insolvency proceedings and to mitigate liability risks for managing directors and creditors. According to the "Act to Mitigate the Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Civil, Insolvency and Criminal Procedural Law", the obligation to file for insolvency proceedings is suspended on a temporary basis for companies facing an insolvency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Federal Labour Court has ruled on the fundamental issue of who will be entitled to the rights under a life insurance policy concluded by the employer in the employee’s favour in the event that an employment relationship comes to an end in the course of the employer’s insolvency proceeding.

The German Federal Supreme Court (Bundesgerichtshof) recently held that creditors cannot bring claims against the Hellenic Republic before the German courts in the context of Greece's debt restructuring in 2012 , finding that Greece enjoys immunity from jurisdiction before the German courts (decision of 8 March 2016; docket number VI ZR 516/14).

Background and facts

Self-application

Basic principle

Insolvency Law

The German Federal government is preparing measures to suspend the requirement for companies to file for insolvency in cases where companies are suffering financial losses due to the current COVID-19 crisis. This suspension may apply through 30 September 2020. The German government aims to avoid insolvencies that may occur simply because the state's financial help may not arrive in time.