Today: Economists warn of national debt crisis | That's why Klingbeil wants to delete tax classes III and V

In the future, married couples will be taxed based on their actual earnings. And: Economists are warning of a national debt crisis

The Economic Advisory Council, also known as the five economics, handed over its annual report to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) on Wednesday. In it, the Council urgently warns of a possible national debt crisis and calls, among other things, for defense spending to be returned to the regular budget.

However, that would mean that the state would have to recoup the money elsewhere. Handelsblatt capital reporter Julian Olk explains in the podcast how this could work in the eyes of economists.

You can find Julian Olk’s interview with Monika Schnitzer here: “We are running into a problem of historic proportions”

Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil wants to abolish tax classes III and V. This emerges from an internal paper that is available to Handelsblatt. What at first glance sounds like a hidden tax increase to the detriment of spouses and registered life partners could, however, lead to more equality and less bureaucracy. Handelsblatt capital reporter Martin Greive knows why.

About the article: Klingbeil wants to abolish tax classes III and V

“Made in Berlin”, the new Handelsblatt podcast by Martin Greive and Josefine Fokuhl, can be found here on our website, Apple or Spotify - or wherever you listen to this episode.