How to deal with increasing property tax burden?

The requirements for a new building are not insignificant. But why are we now being charged a second time for it?

You will not be charged a second time. Take a look at our Basic Law §14 paragraph 2 - it states: Property entails obligations. Its use shall also serve the welfare of the general public. The property tax, together with the trade tax, is the only significant source of financing for municipalities, which can determine the rates themselves. Some municipalities cope so poorly with the ratio of allocation of tasks and funds that they have significantly adjusted the rates as part of the reorganization. And now it is becoming considerably more expensive in some cases. Of course, the organization of budget financing is open to considerable debate. The saying goes, "the last are bitten by the dogs." In our federal organization, unfortunately, these are currently the municipalities.

They say "the last one is bitten by the dogs." In our federal organization, unfortunately, these are currently the municipalities.

No. Not at all. But those who pay the taxes.

So far, I have only received the notice from the tax office, nothing from the municipality yet.

Do I not have to pay anything there?

No. Not at all. But those who pay the tax. I have only received the notice from the tax office so far, nothing yet from the municipality. Do I not have to pay anything there?

We haven't received anything yet either. But wait, something will still happen.

No. Not at all. But those who pay the taxes.

I already suspected that this reply would come. You are certainly not alone with this attitude. I have a different perspective on this: As a taxpayer, I get a lot for my money. Despite all the criticism of what goes wrong and is constantly scrutinized – when I consider everything that is provided to me as a matter of course, I pay the taxes without batting an eye. I especially want to highlight security – both legal security and physical integrity. In addition, an education system at a high level (yes, it could be better) and good social security (although I don’t personally have to make use of it). Even with the top tax rate and increased property tax, you are still a net beneficiary in Germany. There is always room for improvement – but anyone who looks around the world does well to consider themselves privileged, even if it appears that others around them can fulfill more wishes. As Volker Pispers once said: "The German does not want to be well off. He wants to be better off."

We haven’t received anything yet either. But wait, something will still happen.

I just checked on Grundsteuer.de. They list the municipal multiplier rates for 2025. For example, with us it’s property tax B 190% for developed and undeveloped plots. Anyone can look that up. The notice should then be around 380 euros, previously 435. I would also be surprised if the municipalities increase it drastically. The decision-makers usually also own property. But in big cities, it can be quite different. I have in no way complained that my tax burden is too high. I pay relatively little. I’m doing very well. I also can’t understand the complaints from many at such a high level.

I would also be surprised if the municipalities increased it extremely. The decision-makers usually own property themselves.

It is going up significantly here. The municipality had to take action to avoid having to go into budget control and wanted to maintain some voluntary services, such as the free school bus, which is a real achievement in a rural area, at the existing level. Once you enter budget control, all voluntary services are cut first, and this usually affects those with the least resources. Unfortunately, the trade tax has also gone up significantly again. So my business partner and I decided to register our newly founded GmbH at his place of residence. There the rate is only half (!) as high.