Overview
- DIW proposes abolishing special breaks for business assets, introducing lifetime personal allowances and simplifying the tariff to four rates, with long deferrals to avoid taxing company substance.
- The institute models roughly €2.3 billion in extra annual revenue even as the number of people paying inheritance tax falls from about 200,000 to 100,000.
- Transition measures for firms would allow tax payments over 15 to 20 years or link them to business performance, with possible reliefs excluding the very largest estates.
- Wirtschaftsweiser Martin Werding expects the Federal Constitutional Court to strike down current preferential treatment of business assets this year for violating equal taxation principles.
- The SPD has tabled a separate plan with a €1 million lifetime personal exemption, a €5 million company allowance, a tax‑free primary home and 20‑year payment options, drawing sharp opposition from the Union and business groups.