Upper house debates 2027 income tax reform and "Startchancen" law
On 16 October the Bundesrat will give its opinion on key government bills: the 2027 income tax reform, childcare quality and fiscal equalisation are on the agenda.
Archive image · Photo: Matthias Brinken (user Go7chib on de.wikipedia) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (cropped and resized)
Germany's states will deal with two major federal government projects for the first time next Friday, 16 October,. The agenda of the Bundesrat's 1069th session includes the "Draft Income Tax Reform Act 2027" (printed paper 507/26). Also up for debate is the Start Opportunities and Quality Development Act (SCQEG), intended to improve children's chances and the quality of childcare.
On government bills, the Bundesrat can issue an opinion in a first reading before the Bundestag takes the final decision. Tax reforms matter particularly to the states because they and the municipalities receive a share of income tax revenue. An amendment to the Fiscal Equalisation Act 2026 is also on the list.
In total, the agenda has 51 items. They include a bill for a more cost-effective expansion of offshore wind farms, grid-fee subsidies for 2027 to 2029 and a double taxation agreement with Ukraine. The states will also debate a resolution on a law to speed up the defence industry and one supporting food banks.