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The "Lastenausgleich"
The so-called “Lastenausgleich” was, after the Second World War, a one-time wealth levy with which, above all, property owners and entrepreneurs were forced to give up part of their assets in order to compensate for the consequences of the war and to integrate refugees. It was decided in 1952 and ran until the 1970s. Back then there was a total destruction of the economy, millions of displaced persons and no social systems – an exceptional situation.
Today, especially left-wing politicians and activists (SPD, Greens, The Left, but also parts of the trade unions and NGOs) are calling for a “new Lastenausgleich” or at least a one-off wealth levy. This is justified with the consequences of Corona, the energy crisis, inflation, climate change and now above all with the costs of migration and the war in Ukraine. The idea: those who have wealth (real estate, stocks, business assets) should be asked to contribute again in the name of “solidarity”.
This must be prevented with all determination — for the following reasons:
1. There is no comparable catastrophe anymore
From 1945–1952 Germany lay in ruins. Today we have the highest social budget of all time (over €1.2 trillion per year), a functioning labor market and a state that already redistributes almost 50% of GDP. The current burden is home-made: energy-policy mistakes, uncontrolled immigration into the social systems and multi-billion foreign aid. The thrifty middle class or the entrepreneur must not be punished for this.
2. Double punishment has already taken place
Those who still have significant assets today have already paid extremely high taxes and levies: income tax up to 45%, inheritance tax, property tax, trade tax, value-added tax, solidarity surcharge (which was allegedly only for rebuilding East Germany), now CO₂ tax, plastic tax, etc. Many property owners have also suffered massive value losses due to the current interest-rate turnaround. Another seizure would be pure expropriation.
3. Breach of trust in the rule of law
Building up wealth takes decades, often across generations. Anyone who has saved, invested and borne risks all their life must be able to rely on the state not changing the rules retroactively. A new Lastenausgleich would send the signal: no matter how hard-working and forward-looking you are — in the end the state will take a part away again. That destroys long-term willingness to save and invest.
4. Economic self-harm
In the 1950s the Lastenausgleich did work, but it also brought many medium-sized companies to the brink of bankruptcy. Today the effect would be even more devastating: capital flight, relocation of entrepreneurs and skilled workers, falling property prices, fewer investments. Countries like Sweden or France have had exactly this experience with high wealth taxes — and later abolished them again.
5. There are fairer and more efficient alternatives
Instead of confiscating wealth, the state could finally prioritize expenditures:
- Stop the billions in foreign aid while record inflation rages at home
- Reduce immigration into the social systems
- Cut bureaucracy instead of creating new subsidies
- Tax relief for labor and entrepreneurship instead of new burdens
Conclusion: A new Lastenausgleich is nothing other than the continuation of redistribution policy by other means — this time against the achievers of a society who are already pushed to their limits. Those who still have assets today have, in most cases, honestly earned them or inherited them — and not at the expense of others.
Therefore: The law that would go in this direction indirectly expropriates the owners — if the owner does not secure their property and cannot pay the interest to the state, the property will be auctioned and one will be thrown out of their own house.
We advise you gladly and help protect your property against the Lastenausgleich.