https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed New figures from a nationwide survey suggest that concerns about wealth inequality are now firmly rooted in mainstream opinion in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20260427/four-out-of-five-germans-believe-wealth-is-unfairly-distributed Mon, 27 Apr 2026 14:26:42 +0200 four-out-of-five-germans-believe-wealth-is-unfairly-distributed The length of time taxpayers are obliged to keep hold of financial documents in Germany can seem extreme. We look at who needs to keep what – and when you're finally safe to have a good clear out. https://www.thelocal.de/20250623/how-long-do-you-need-to-keep-receipts-and-invoices-for-in-germany Mon, 23 Jun 2025 16:17:45 +0200 how-long-do-you-need-to-keep-receipts-and-invoices-for-in-germany Leaving Germany doesn’t always mean leaving the country's tax system. Here's what you should know before moving abroad if you have property, business interests or ongoing income here. https://www.thelocal.de/20260416/why-leaving-germany-doesnt-always-mean-youre-done-with-german-taxes Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:53:39 +0200 why-leaving-germany-doesnt-always-mean-youre-done-with-german-taxes The German government wants to allow firms to give their employees a tax-free bonus as part of measures to relieve residents amid rising fuel and living costs. We look at who could be in line to get it. https://www.thelocal.de/20260414/qa-who-will-get-germanys-tax-free-bonus Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:01:50 +0200 qa-who-will-get-germanys-tax-free-bonus Tax day is just around the corner for US citizens - and those living in Germany will want to file here first. Here are the most important dates and extensions to keep in mind during American tax season. https://www.thelocal.de/20260401/the-2026-tax-deadlines-that-americans-in-germany-need-to-know Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:53:04 +0200 the-2026-tax-deadlines-that-americans-in-germany-need-to-know State elections have sent shockwaves through the German coalition government. Now parties are scrambling to put through a series of major reforms, with the spotlight on taxes, pensions and health insurance, alongside efforts to expand the workforce. https://www.thelocal.de/20260325/taxes-to-health-insurance-what-reforms-is-germany-eyeing-this-spring Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:43:36 +0100 taxes-to-health-insurance-what-reforms-is-germany-eyeing-this-spring Filing taxes in Germany can be intimidating, particularly for foreign residents, and paid tax apps have long been a help. With the tax authorities about to launch a new free version, could this finally make tax season easier? https://www.thelocal.de/20260319/should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster Thu, 19 Mar 2026 12:02:13 +0100 should-i-use-germanys-new-one-click-tax-return-service-from-elster When do you actually need to file a tax return in Germany, and when can you safely skip it? The Local spoke to a tax lawyer to unpack exactly when filing pays off for foreign residents. https://www.thelocal.de/20260310/an-experts-best-advice-on-when-and-why-to-file-a-tax-return-in-germany Tue, 10 Mar 2026 17:23:59 +0100 an-experts-best-advice-on-when-and-why-to-file-a-tax-return-in-germany Often assumed to be one of the world’s highest‑tax countries for top earners, new figures for 2026 suggest the reality in Germany is more nuanced. We look at how much high earners have to pay – and who really falls into the top bracket. https://www.thelocal.de/20260216/how-does-germanys-highest-income-tax-rate-compare-to-other-countries Mon, 16 Feb 2026 14:35:59 +0100 how-does-germanys-highest-income-tax-rate-compare-to-other-countries Germany’s marriage rate has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1950. Some commentators argue that one cause could be the country’s tax system – which can leave women facing a 20 percent drop in income when they tie the knot. https://www.thelocal.de/20260209/why-germanys-tax-system-could-be-putting-women-off-getting-married Mon, 09 Feb 2026 17:24:51 +0100 why-germanys-tax-system-could-be-putting-women-off-getting-married The tax submission deadlines in Germany vary from year to year and depending on how you file. Here are the file-by dates to mark in your calendar this year. https://www.thelocal.de/20260107/the-german-tax-deadlines-to-know-in-2026 Wed, 07 Jan 2026 12:54:51 +0100 the-german-tax-deadlines-to-know-in-2026 The Social Democrat Party has a plan to reform inheritance tax law that they say will relieve most residents of tax burden while also increasing state revenue. Here's a look at what the centre-left party hopes to achieve, and whether they’re likely to succeed. https://www.thelocal.de/20260116/will-germanys-inheritance-tax-law-see-a-serious-shake-up-this-year Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:00:13 +0100 will-germanys-inheritance-tax-law-see-a-serious-shake-up-this-year Germany does have inheritance tax, but how much you have to pay depends on your relationship to the person who passed – and how much they left you. https://www.thelocal.de/20230106/explained-the-rules-around-inheritance-tax-in-germany Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:49:49 +0100 explained-the-rules-around-inheritance-tax-in-germany A major property tax reform brought at the beginning of this year raised the amount owed by many landlords in Germany. Now the Federal Fiscal Court has rejected challenges against the rule change, meaning that property owners are still on the hook. https://www.thelocal.de/20251210/germanys-highest-fiscal-court-rejects-challenges-to-new-property-tax-rules Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:42:40 +0100 germanys-highest-fiscal-court-rejects-challenges-to-new-property-tax-rules The Bundestag has just approved a sweeping package of tax cuts for commuters, restauranteurs and volunteers. But while these measures promise relief for many, questions remain about German states' ability and willingness to implement them. https://www.thelocal.de/20251204/can-the-german-states-afford-to-approve-planned-tax-relief Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:02:40 +0100 can-the-german-states-afford-to-approve-planned-tax-relief If you're a remote worker or split time between your home country and Germany, you may be wondering which tax office you should be paying. https://www.thelocal.de/20241101/how-does-germany-decide-if-im-a-tax-resident-in-the-country Fri, 01 Nov 2024 11:19:03 +0100 how-does-germany-decide-if-im-a-tax-resident-in-the-country In most German states visitors can expect to pay a local tax for overnight stays at hotels. But a recent court ruling in Bavaria confirmed that hotel taxes may not be collected in the southern 'Free State'. https://www.thelocal.de/20251124/where-in-germany-youll-pay-hotel-tax-and-why-you-wont-in-bavaria Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:17:05 +0100 where-in-germany-youll-pay-hotel-tax-and-why-you-wont-in-bavaria What started as a simple misunderstanding turned into sixteen years of paying a Church tax he barely understood – and then a surprisingly emotional goodbye. The Local's Tom Pugh explains what happened when he left the Catholic Church in Germany. https://www.thelocal.de/20251107/flawed-and-guilty-what-happened-when-i-left-the-church-in-germany Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:19:19 +0100 flawed-and-guilty-what-happened-when-i-left-the-church-in-germany Whether you plan to let your whole home or just a single room, make sure you’re aware of the rules around declaring the income to the German tax man. https://www.thelocal.de/20250602/what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:54:34 +0200 what-germanys-tax-authorities-need-to-know-if-you-rent-out-your-home They could soon be unboxing fines rather than freebies -- Germany's online influencers are facing a tax evasion crackdown that has left them screaming OMG! https://www.thelocal.de/20251009/german-influencers-face-tax-dodging-crackdown Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:21:25 +0200 german-influencers-face-tax-dodging-crackdown