Steuer-Showdown in Berlin: Merz vor dem nächsten großen Wortbruch? | NIUS Live

Today, July 1st, could be the moment of truth for Friedrich Merz. The Chancellor himself has declared it "decision day." The coalition committee is negotiating the government's major reform plans. But one question looms large, affecting millions of Germans: Will Merz keep his promise that there will be no tax increases under his leadership? Because his coalition partner, the SPD, is pushing for higher taxes. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is introducing two models into the negotiations. Both propose higher taxes for top earners and the wealthy. Model A would provide relief for low and middle incomes, but would place a heavier burden on high earners with annual incomes above €200,000 and increase inheritance tax – generating approximately €28 billion in additional revenue, according to calculations. Model B, at around €17 billion, would be more moderate, but on closer inspection, it turns out to be partly just an adjustment for bracket creep. In addition, there are plans for higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol, cryptocurrencies, and a new sugar tax. On NIUS Live, we discuss this controversial topic with Reiner Holznagel from the Federation of German Taxpayers and Wolfram Herles. Both make their position clear: For many, the total tax burden is already almost 50 percent, the marginal tax rate removes incentives to work, and inheritance tax primarily affects family businesses that provide jobs, not "the rich" in the bank. The planned tobacco tax increase is also under fire: It could drive smokers to the black market instead of generating more revenue for the government. Will "decision day" become a day of broken promises? On NIUS Live, NIUS Deputy Editor-in-Chief Pauline Voss, NIUS reporter Julius Böhm, journalist Wolfgang Herles, and Reiner Holznagel, President of the Federation of German Taxpayers, discussed the topic with moderator Alex Purrucker. ⚠️👉Watch, like, share, and subscribe here! 🔴 NIUS LIVE, Germany's biggest conservative morning show, every Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. Now on nius.de, DAB+, and YouTube. Tune in and spread the word! NIUS LIVE, Germany's biggest conservative morning show, every Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. Now on nius.de, DAB+, and YouTube. Nius Live, Germany's biggest conservative morning show, every Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. 📢 𝗡𝗜𝗨𝗦, 𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗵𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗶𝘁 Subscribe now & activate the bell 🔔 https://www.youtube.com/@niusde/streams ⭐️ Subscribe to the voice of the majority now and become a NIUS Insider ↪️ https://nius.de/abo Website: https://nius.de Facebook:   / stimmedermehrheit   X:   / niusde_   Instagram:   / nius.de   TikTok:   / nius.de   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/63drOxQ... #NIUS #NIUSLive #Politics #News #Germany