Rejection of claims: mandatory payment of solidarity premium is required

The Basic Law, serving as the constitution for Germany, is a fundamental document that outlines the most important rules for the country. This constitution guarantees various freedoms, including the freedom to choose one's religion, express opinions, and enjoy equal rights. One of the provisions in the Basic Law is the principle of equal rights for all people, a principle that has been a cornerstone of German democracy.

The Federal Constitutional Court, a significant German court located in the city of Karlsruhe, plays a crucial role in upholding the Basic Law. It checks whether the German constitution is being adhered to and can even review laws and, if necessary, have them changed.

One of the issues that has been under the scrutiny of the Federal Constitutional Court is the solidarity surcharge, a tax used for financing German reunification costs. This tax was introduced in 1991 and has been a source of debate for many years. The tax is currently paid by people with very high incomes and large companies.

Recently, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that the state is still allowed to demand the solidarity surcharge due to ongoing reunification costs. This ruling came despite the fact that not everyone is required to pay the solidarity surcharge since 2021. The expected tax revenues from the solidarity surcharge this year are approximately 13 billion euros.

The FDP, a liberal political party in Germany, known as the Free Democratic Party, has been advocating for the abolition of the solidarity surcharge. The FDP argues that the tax is a burden on high earners and businesses and wants to minimize regulations on the economy and people. The party has vowed to continue fighting for the abolition of the solidarity surcharge.

However, the federal government's position is that the solidarity surcharge remains constitutional and has been partially abolished since 2021, with only high earners still paying it. A full abolition is currently unlikely, and the government continues to maintain the existing framework as confirmed by recent constitutional court rulings in 2025.

In conclusion, the solidarity surcharge, a tax used for financing German reunification costs, continues to be a topic of debate in Germany. While the FDP advocates for its abolition, the federal government maintains its constitutionality and the existing framework for its collection. The Federal Constitutional Court will continue to play a key role in ensuring that the Basic Law is upheld and that the rights of all German citizens are protected.