Kommentar: Bei der Erbschaftsteuer zeigt sich die Absurdität deutscher Debatten
Karlsruhe verhandelt über die Steuerprivilegien von Firmenerben. Für diese Privilegien gibt es gute Gründe, sie haben aber auch fragwürdige Folgen. Dabei gäbe es eine pragmatische Lösung.
In a commentary on inheritance tax, the absurdity of Germany's debates becomes evident. While Bundesverfassungsgericht judges continue to sift through data and opinions, politics and much of the public have already made up their minds. In a class-conscious tone, the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and Left demand higher taxation of wealthy heirs.
The Union defends the existing rules, not out of conviction but because they doubt they can implement a sensible reform on their own and for their coalition partner. Instead of pragmatically reforming a complicated and partially unfair system, ideological simplifiers dominate the debate, particularly from the left. This creates the impression that the state is simply waiving taxes for wealthy heirs with tens of millions in accounts.
The complaints targeted at these privileges only apply to operating wealth held in the inherited businesses, which are linked to job creation and wage levels. The claim that the inheritance case does not lead to the sale of the company or lower investments, to pay the tax, is also in the public interest.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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