Entrepreneur and government advisor Harald Christ has publicly advocated for the possibility of higher taxes. Speaking to Focus, Christ noted that individuals who earn substantial incomes-including himself-could reasonably handle some higher tax rates. However, he stressed that any additional revenue generated must ultimately help make Germany more competitive.
In contrast, Christ cautioned against placing excessive pressure on family-owned businesses regarding inheritance tax. He argued that political action must prevent the tax from encouraging the takeover of German small and medium-sized enterprises (Mittelstand) by foreign investors. While warning against a heavy tax burden, he also suggested that certain exceptions and interpretations classified as hardship cases, which may not be aligning with the lawmakers’ intent, could be critically reviewed.
Furthermore, Christ urged the federal government to establish more dependable frameworks for private investment. He stated that many companies possess sufficient capital and are generally ready to invest, but they are awaiting clarity regarding the corporate tax and overall reforms. “We are currently experiencing what is essentially an investment strike,” Christ remarked.
