Germans demand tax relief as survey reveals deep dissatisfaction with current burdens

Two-thirds (66 percent) of Germans feel overburdened by taxes and social security contributions, according to a survey conducted for ARD's Deutschlandtrend. The poll, carried out by Infratest, surveyed 1,316 eligible voters from Monday to Tuesday of this week. For 28 percent of respondents, the burden is appropriate, while 1 percent consider it too low, and 3 percent say they pay no taxes or social contributions at all.

Those of working age are particularly likely to feel overtaxed. Among respondents aged 18 to 34, 72 percent say the burden is too high, 19 percent find it appropriate, and 2 percent believe it is too low. Among those 65 and older, 56 percent consider their burden excessive, 38 percent see it as fair, and 2 percent think it is too low.

When broken down by party affiliation, supporters of the far-right AfD are the most critical of the tax burden: 87 percent say their personal taxes and social contributions are too high, 8 percent find them appropriate, and none consider them too low. Only among Green Party supporters does a majority (63 percent) view their own burden as fair, while 35 percent see it as too high and 2 percent as too low.

There are currently various proposals for reforms in labor market, social, and tax policy. A potential reduction in income tax for low- and middle-income earners, coupled with an increase for high earners, is seen as the right approach by 76 percent of respondents, while 18 percent disagree. Accelerating the recognition of foreign professional qualifications to help asylum seekers enter the workforce faster is supported by 74 percent, with 19 percent opposed. Higher taxes on unhealthy products such as alcohol, tobacco, or sugary drinks are backed by 72 percent, while 24 percent reject the idea.

Opinions are divided on allowing companies to hire employees on longer fixed-term contracts than currently permitted: 48 percent support the proposal, while 44 percent oppose it. The idea of abolishing tax benefits for future married couples—known as the Ehegattensplitting (joint taxation for spouses)—meets with broad skepticism: only 32 percent approve, while 54 percent disapprove. A possible end to free co-insurance for spouses under statutory health insurance is seen as the right move by 26 percent, but 64 percent reject it.

Capping payments to self-employed doctors and hospitals is supported by just 23 percent, while 63 percent oppose it. Higher co-payments for medications and treatments are favored by 20 percent, with 76 percent against. The strongest opposition is reserved for a potential increase in value-added tax (VAT): only 6 percent support it, while 91 percent reject it.

Confidence in the government's ability to take the necessary steps remains low. Just one-fifth (20 percent) of respondents trust the government to implement measures that will secure the future of Germany's social security systems, while 74 percent lack this confidence. Similarly, only 26 percent believe the government will take the right steps to revitalize the economy, while 70 percent do not.