In early September, participants of the citizens’ debate »Fair Taxes and Finances« presented their recommendations for reforms in tax and fiscal policy to policymakers in the form of a citizens’ report.

The recommendations include proposals on taxing large fortunes, social security, the use of tax revenues, and tackling tax fraud. Among the concrete suggestions are:

• Introduction of an inheritance tax on business assets valued above €26 million.
• Tax-free pensions up to €1,500.
• Merging civil servant pensions and the statutory pension system into a unified scheme.
• Abolishing private health insurance and introducing a single statutory health insurance for all citizens.
• Greater transparency in the use of tax revenues and opportunities for direct citizen participation in socially relevant investments – for example, through referendums or citizens’ assemblies.
• More consistent prosecution of tax fraud, including expanding staffing and legal frameworks. In addition, cases of fraud should be made public.
   

In May and June, 40 randomly selected citizens from across Germany met over six days to engage in intensive discussions on fairer tax and fiscal policy. The debate was informed by expert inputs and lectures. Suggestions collected during a broad preceding online participation process on tax reform also fed into the discussions. The results were condensed into the citizens’ report, which has now been handed over to policymakers. The report complements existing reform proposals and links tax justice with social security and democratic responsibility.

he citizens’ debate »Fair Taxes and Finances« is a project by Mehr Demokratie e.V., Netzwerk Steuergerechtigkeit e.V., and the German Taxpayers Association. It is funded by the Schöpflin Foundation, the Robert Bosch Foundation and  GLS Treuhand. More information about the project is available at steuerdebatte.info.