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Germany's Court Weighs Inheritance Tax

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Germany's Constitutional Court heard arguments over inheritance-tax rules, including business exemptions that critics say favor wealthy heirs over ordinary beneficiaries.

Die Zeit
Inheritance tax: 67,000 euros from Aunt? Full tax. Billion-dollar corporation? Often none.

The Federal Constitutional Court is examining the inheritance tax again. Our author is serving as an expert. This is how the unfair tax could be improved.

Inheritance tax: 67,000 euros from Aunt? Full tax. Billion-dollar corporation? Often none.
Reposts 7 8h

Reposted by Jonathan Hopkin, Tom van der Meer, Claudia Landwehr , and 2 more

13%
danjdevine.bsky.social
Inheritance taxation is unpopular, even amongst people who are unlikely to ever have to pay it. Why?

In four different studies - experiment! panels! behaviour! - @cvalebeek.bsky.social and I show political trust is a strong predictor for support for the tax.

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Political trust and inheritance taxation: evidence from four studies
Inheritance (estate) taxation is a potentially powerful instrument for reducing inequality and raising state revenues, yet it attracts opposition well beyond the small minority who will ever pay it...
www.tandfonline.com
October 12, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Die Zeit
Inheritance Tax: Is It Fair to Inherit a Company Without Paying Taxes?

The Federal Constitutional Court is hearing cases on inheritance tax. There is a strong argument that, as the rules stand now, they cannot remain.

Inheritance Tax: Is It Fair to Inherit a Company Without Paying Taxes?
Reposts 3 10h
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Inheritance tax: Narrowing the gap between the poor and the ultra-rich

If we place the merit-based principle at the forefront of our tax system, large inheritances should be taxed more heavily.

Inheritance tax: Narrowing the gap between the poor and the ultra-rich
Reposts 1 13h
Handelsblatt
Family business: Underberg supervisory board member Ludwig Ruder: 'A change in the inheritance tax would affect us'

A family member and Underberg supervisory board member Ludwig Ruder speaks in an interview about the inheritance tax, the success of the traditional brand—and he surprises with a confession.

Family business: Underberg supervisory board member Ludwig Ruder: 'A change in the inheritance tax would affect us'
Reposts 0 14h
Der Spiegel
Inheritance tax: Family businesses and the DIHK oppose higher levies

The Federal Constitutional Court's First Senate will take two days to hear arguments for and against the inheritance tax. Family businesses have already made their position clear in advance.

Inheritance tax: Family businesses and the DIHK oppose higher levies
Reposts 3 14h

Reposted by Andreas Wagner

0%
awettesfaiesus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy
Und bedenkt: wenn Staat unterwegs schon das Vermögen besteuert wachsen die Erbschaften auch nicht in so gewaltige Größenordnungen wie zuletzt und Statt muss nicht bis zum Ableben warten, ehe der Zufluss erfolgt.

Im Übrigen gilt mE: Vermögenssteuer sollte kein Instrument der […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
October 12, 2026 at 4:52 AM

Reposted by Andreas Wagner

0%
awettesfaiesus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy
Letztere ist eine spezifische Überlegung des Steuerrechts: wenn Steuern nicht in allen Teilen der Republik gleichmäßig intensiv beigetrieben werden, verletzt es die Rechte derjenigen, die zahlen.

Ich denke, die Chancen des Klägers stehen im Prinzip eher gut. Die Folge eines Sieges scheinen aber […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
October 12, 2026 at 4:52 AM

Reposted by Andreas Wagner

0%
awettesfaiesus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy
Steuerrecht ist Nischenrecht (nicht Teil der jur. Ausbildung) und durchdrungen von komplexen Theorien. Diese drehen sich meist um Gesellschaftspolitik und verfassungsrechtlich um die „Gleichbehandlung“:

Und zwar strukturell (zB: welchen Unterschied darf es machen, wenn ich ein Haus Erbe oder […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
October 12, 2026 at 4:51 AM

Reposted by Andreas Wagner

0%
awettesfaiesus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy
Eyes On This! habe es schon oft gesagt: Ihr wisst, ich halte die Erbschaftssteuer für eine relativ unwirksame Steuer. Ich bin nicht dagegen, ich halte sie nur für schlicht zu leicht „weggestaltbar“ (darum geht es im Fall des Klägers uA) und würde eine Vermögenssteuer auf Vermögen ab 100 Mio. € […]
Original post on mastodon.social
mastodon.social
October 12, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Die Zeit
Inheritance tax: How socially fair is inheriting in Germany?

At the Federal Constitutional Court, the inheritance tax is under double scrutiny. What would a fair reform look like? And: Trump's diesel deal and its consequences

Inheritance tax: How socially fair is inheriting in Germany?
Reposts 4 16h
Financial Times
There is a smarter way to tax the rich

Increasing US corporate tax raises government revenues without harming the tax base

There is a smarter way to tax the rich
Reposts 0 16h
Die Zeit
Wealth distribution in Germany: It gnaws at social peace

The Federal Constitutional Court is now deciding whether large inheritances can still be easily exempt from taxes. It is long overdue.

Wealth distribution in Germany: It gnaws at social peace
Reposts 5 17h
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