The article considers the splitting of income between spouses from an economic perspective. It argues that this provision does not privilege married couples but prohibits their discrimination.

The German Constitutional Court has obliged parliament to enact an income tax law which lets the subsistence level tax-exempt. This can be done, in principle, by using a basic allowance or a zero-rated bracket. The paper discusses these alternatives.

In Germany, commuting expenses have been deductible from the income tax base for a long time. Germany’s grand coalition has now restricted this deduction. The article analyses whether or not this was justified from an economic point of view. It is shown that, in the long run, the tax treatment...

Der Aufsatz untersucht Paul Kirchhofs Vorschlag eines Einkommensteuergesetzbuchs.

The article concerns new tax rules for home offices.

Der Artikel untersucht, ob Leistungen einer Gruppenunfallversicherung steuerrechtlich als Arbeitslohn anzusehen sind.

Effective from 2008, Germany's top marginal income tax rate rises from 42 to 45 per cent. However, sole proprietorships and partnerships can opt for a preferential tax rate of 28.25 per cent for retained profits (§ 34a EStG). If they do so, profits are taxed again upon distribution. Using...