Overview

• The finance minister said no option is off the table for taxing very high incomes or wealth, with inheritance tax changes also reported to be under consideration.
• The SPD links possible new revenue at the top to funding mid‑term tax cuts for small and middle incomes promised in the coalition agreement.
• Handelsverband Deutschland chief Stefan Genth argued that higher taxes would massively brake consumption.
• CSU leader Markus Söder declared there will be no tax increases with the CSU, while CDU figures offered a more equivocal line, including Jens Spahn saying now is not the time to even consider hikes.
• No detailed legislation or designs have been presented, and the clash remains political positioning as a roughly €30 billion shortfall in 2027 is reported.