Lars Felds Ordnungsruf: 19 Prozent auf alles? Warum der Münchener Ifo-Chef missverstanden wird
Clemens Fuest hat mit einem Gastbeitrag im Handelsblatt zur Abschaffung des ermäßigten Umsatzsteuersatzes eine breite Debatte ausgelöst. Der Top-Ökonom Lars Feld pflichtet ihm bei.
Clemens Fuest, a prominent economist, gained attention for suggesting the elimination of the reduced VAT rate of 7 percent and subjecting current taxed products and services to the standard rate of 19 percent. It was expected that Fuest would face significant opposition in the media; however, the misrepresentation of his proposal has been a more persistent issue.
Critics accused him of advocating for consolidation through higher taxes rather than spending cuts, implying an increased tax burden. The reality, however, lies in correcting distortions within the tax system. If the VAT were adjusted to be revenue-neutral, the standard rate could potentially decrease by up to three percentage points.
Even if the additional revenues, accounting for Fuest's proposed compensation for low-income earners through digital disbursement, were allocated to consolidation, it would not equate to a traditional tax increase.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
