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Tax increases threaten: IHK warns of burden for Dreieich companies!
IHK Offenbach warns of tax increases in Dreieich and the region and calls for savings and reforms to secure company finances.
Tax increases threaten: IHK warns of burden for Dreieich companies!
The municipalities in the Offenbach district are facing a new challenge: The Offenbach am Main Chamber of Industry and Commerce expresses concern about planned tax increases in Dreieich. According to of-news.de this includes increases in property tax B and trade tax. If the proposal is implemented, Dreieich would be the fifth municipality in the region to increase trade tax, after Rödermark, Neu-Isenburg, Mainhausen and Seligenstadt have already taken similar steps.
What is particularly explosive is that Neu-Isenburg has also decided on an overnight stay tax, while other cities are considering similar measures. IHK general manager Markus Weinbrenner has described these tax increases as “counterproductive”, especially given the current economic uncertainties. International trade uncertainties, high energy costs and growing bureaucracy are already putting a strain on many companies in the region.
The voices of business
The IHK calls on municipalities to first examine savings options before tax increases come into play. “Tax increases should be the last resort to resolve financial bottlenecks,” said Weinbrenner. He emphasizes the need for a broad debate about the financing of municipalities and the critical review of tasks and administrative structures. In this context, Michael Grunwald, IHK Vice President, noted that the time is unfavorable for companies, but praised the early communication by Mayor Martin Burlon.
The IHK also sees the need for a reform of the trade tax in order to ensure fairer and more sustainable local government financing. The German Association of Tax Consultants (DStV) agrees with this view and is calling for comprehensive changes to trade tax. A report by haufe.de points out that the trade tax not only endangers the equity base of companies, but also causes enormous bureaucratic effort. DStV President Lüth describes the current situation as unacceptable and is pushing for a restructuring of the municipal financial situation.
Federal political developments
There is also movement on the political stage: tax policy measures were announced in the coalition agreement of the current federal government alliance that could also have an impact on trade tax. The minimum trade tax rate is to be raised from 200 to 280 percent, and measures are planned against “sham relocations to trade tax havens”. The details can be found in the comprehensive document that ey.com has published.
Overall, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop. The back and forth over taxes not only creates uncertainty, but will also continue to be heavily debated. Companies in the region are looking for ways to assert themselves in this admittedly challenging environment. Before a real reform can take place, however, the framework conditions must be right so that companies do not face any additional burdens.