Tax debts in Berlin: 886 million euros - tax offices are under pressure!

Tax debts in Berlin: 886 million euros - tax offices are under pressure!

A look at the tax debts in Berlin reveals worrying dimensions: as of June 30, 2025, the tax offices face overdue arrears amounting to 886 million euros. This is only a small step back from the 905 million euros that were registered in February 2024, reports rbb24. These figures show that there are significant liquidity problems for both private individuals and companies.

The arrears for various types of taxes are particularly noticeable. It is noticeable that the sales tax arrears amount to an incredible 297 million euros, while the corporate tax at 67 million euros and the trade tax at 92 million euros are also significant. However, the biggest increase has been in income tax arrears, which have now risen to 270.7 million euros - a worrying increase of 110 million euros since the beginning of 2024. Wage tax at almost 41 million euros, inheritance tax at 47.7 million euros and property transfer tax at 29.9 million euros also contribute to the total.

Challenges when collecting

The tax authorities face enormous challenges in collecting these overdue debts. As Tagesschau explains, technical problems caused by the introduction of new software have made collections more difficult. Despite the difficulties, we managed to reduce sales tax arrears by around 125 million euros. One bright spot is the special situation of the Berlin International tax office, which is cited as a success factor in collection.

The critical situation is urgently addressed by tax experts such as Sebastian Schlüsselburg from the SPD parliamentary group. He warns that the tax offices are structurally overwhelmed, especially since 141 positions in the corporate tax offices are currently unfilled - a total of 484 employees are missing in the tax authorities and the tax investigation department. Schlesselburg emphasizes that a targeted personnel policy is necessary to strengthen the tax offices.

A look at total debt

Berlin's tax debts are part of a much bigger picture. According to a taxpayer study, the mountain of national debt amounts to a total of around 2,500 billion euros. An interest payment of more than 45 billion euros had to be made for 2024, with 34 billion euros coming from the federal government alone. This debt policy and the associated interest obligations are heavily burdened by past measures, such as the stabilization programs in the 1970s and 2008 to 2010.

Ultimately, it should be noted that the debt burden will be passed on to future generations. While the arrears of the Berlin tax offices present a worrying picture, the overall trend in national debt is alarming. This requires not only an increase in revenue, but also a consistent personnel policy and strategic decisions in order to secure the tax revenue and financial stability of our cities in the long term.