Tax class reform: Traffic light government wants to fight poverty in old age in one group - "unacceptable"

The federal government wants to make the tax system more gender-equitable.

Two tax classes are to be adjusted for this.

The difference in pay between men and women has been criticized.

Munich – The tax system in Germany is heading towards reform.

It's about more gender equality.

According to a spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Finance, a legislative package is currently being drawn up for the project envisaged in the coalition agreement.

Tax classes 3 and 5 will be subject to changes.

Specifically, it is about taking into account the tax-reducing effect of the splitting procedure for spouses when making the monthly wage tax deduction.

This would avoid the higher taxation in class 5 and the distribution of the tax burden would be fairer based on the wages received jointly in the marriage.

Tax classes are to be reformed: "Distribute the wage tax burden more fairly between spouses"

Family Minister Lisa Paus (Greens) explained the reorganization of the two tax classes in the newspapers of the

: "This will distribute the wage tax burden more fairly between spouses." She also emphasized that economic equality and social security for women would be strengthened.

At the same time, Green Party leader Katharina Dröge demanded fair payment for women: "Women still get less pay than men for the same work." This is "unacceptable".

Video: "As women, we must learn to demand"

Wage discrimination in Germany: Minister of Labor Heil gives the numbers

Federal Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil (SPD) even presented the sobering figures in the morning show of

and

: "The wage gap between men and women is still 18 percent." He referred to information from the Federal Statistical Office.

Eleven percent of this can be attributed to the choice of profession.

Another factor is that men tend to work full-time and women part-time.

"The other seven percent actually go back to wage discrimination," explained Heil.

According to Dröge, the biggest differences between men and women are in old age, since lower income and shorter working hours have a major impact on pensions.

“As a result, women only receive about half the pensions of men on average.

Poverty in old age is often female,” criticizes the Green politician.

She describes higher employment among women and better pay as the key to combating poverty in old age.