Overview
- Commissioned by Die Linke, the DIW modeling finds a theoretical annual take of up to about €147 billion from a revived wealth tax.
- The design exempts €1 million in personal assets and €5 million in business assets, with rates rising from 1% to 5% above €50 million and 12% above €1 billion, concentrating the burden on the richest percentiles.
- DIW highlights likely investment pullbacks, relocations, intra‑family transfers and tax planning that could sharply cut receipts, urging a gradual, internationally coordinated rollout and potentially higher exemptions.
- As a state‑level levy, proceeds would flow to Länder and filter to municipalities, with DIW examples indicating about €19 billion for Bavaria and €2.3 billion for Thuringia each year.
- Reintroduction would require updated, uniform asset valuations to address a 1995 court ruling, while business‑aligned economists and center‑right leaders warn of competitiveness and investment risks.