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Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP)
Photo: Michael Kappeler / dpa
Traffic light politicians apparently want to work with the federal states to increase the allowances for inheritance tax.
"There was an agreement between the coalition factions in the Bundestag, which I very much welcome," said Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
In view of the price increases, higher allowances are a question of fairness.
Since there has been no change there since 2009, he believes that an increase of around 25 percent is necessary.
According to coalition circles, the agreement of the traffic light group appears to be as follows: If a majority in the Bundesrat can agree on the inflation adjustment of the inheritance tax allowances, they want to consult with the federal states and then introduce a corresponding law in the Bundestag.
There is now a joint position by the parliamentary group leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP, after previous debates had shown different views on the traffic light increase.
So far, however, there has been no such initiative on the part of the federal states, as Lindner also conceded.
There are only advances from Bavaria, for example, for a reform.
However, Lindner expressed the expectation that the understanding in the coalition could also trigger movement in the federal states.
"The ball is now on the penalty spot," said the finance minister and head of the FDP.
Now the countries have to decide.
FDP parliamentary group leader expects initiative in the Bundesrat
FDP faction leader Christian Dürr also sees the agreement as a "great success": "It must not happen that families suddenly have to pay more inheritance tax on the grandparents' house because the valuation rules change." He now expects that the countries started an initiative in the Bundesrat.
In a joint statement by the parliamentary group leaders, it was said that it was noted that "the allowances have remained constant since 2009 and no inflation compensation has taken place".
"As federal legislators, we have the responsibility to ensure equal living conditions with constitutional taxation of inheritances."
The income from the inheritance tax goes exclusively to the federal states, so they would have to bear the loss of income alone.
Lindner reiterated his party's position that a 25 percent increase in tax allowances would be appropriate.
The background is that due to a constitutional court ruling, the valuation of real estate is being adjusted.
As a result, their value to be taken into account for tax purposes is likely to rise significantly, which would also result in higher taxes.
There is currently an exemption of EUR 500,000 for inheritance tax for spouses and EUR 400,000 for children.
In addition, no tax is due for them if they use the property themselves.
tfb/dpa/AFP