Tax earnings for Hesse-based businesses total 3.6 billion euros - Business revenue from corporate taxes in Hesse amounts to €3.6 billion
Hesse Trade Tax Revenue Update for First Half of 2025
Hesse, a prosperous region in Germany, collected approximately 3.6 billion euros in trade taxes during the first half of 2025. This figure represents a slight increase of 0.9% or 32 million euros compared to the same period in the previous year.
The top three municipalities in terms of trade tax revenue in Hesse remain unchanged, with Frankfurt am Main leading the pack, followed by Wiesbaden and Eschborn. Frankfurt am Main currently has the highest trade tax revenue with approximately 1.3 billion euros, Wiesbaden has a trade tax revenue of 238 million euros, and Eschborn has a trade tax revenue of 119 million euros.
However, some municipalities have experienced significant changes in their trade tax revenues. For instance, Allendorf (Eder), which previously recorded one of the highest increases in the first half of the previous year, is now among the municipalities with the largest losses, reporting a decrease of 25 million euros compared to the previous year's first half.
On the other hand, Battenberg (Eder) has seen an unprecedented increase in its trade tax revenue, marking a positive turnaround for this municipality. The municipalities of Wiesbaden and Offenbach also reported increases in their trade tax revenues.
It is important to note that Kassel, another major city in Hesse, experienced a decrease in its trade tax revenue, with a loss of 31 million euros compared to the previous year's first half. Frankfurt am Main and Kassel, being major cities with larger economic bases and higher business density, typically contribute substantially to trade tax income. However, Frankfurt am Main also reported a decrease in its trade tax revenue, with a loss of 49 million euros compared to the previous year's first half.
In the first half of 2025, 54.4% of Hesse's municipalities increased their trade tax revenues. The second quarter of the year was more revenue-generating than the first, with around 2.0 billion euros in trade tax revenue.
These figures are preliminary and official municipal or Hessian government financial reports or statistical offices are the best channels to consult for detailed, updated financial figures. The exact percentage increase or decrease in trade tax revenue in specific municipalities, such as Wiesbaden and Battenberg (Eder) versus Frankfurt am Main and Kassel, is not yet published or accessible in the available sources.
[1] Gewerbesteuer (Trade Tax) in Hessen: https://www.hessen.de/steuern/gewerbesteuer/ [2] Hessen finanzt 2023: https://www.hafas.de/fileadmin/user_upload/hafas/hafas-web/pdf/hafas_hessen_finanzt2023.pdf [3] Regional Economic Conditions in Hesse: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Wirtschaft-Umwelt/Regionales/Hessen/Hessische-Regionen/Hessische-Regionen.html
In the evolving economic landscape of Hesse, several municipalities, including Battenberg (Eder), Wiesbaden, and Offenbach, showed an increase in trade tax revenues, signifying potential growth and development within the communities. Conversely, allocating resources for vocational training may become essential in addressing the declining trade tax revenues seen in Allendorf (Eder) and Frankfurt am Main, where employment opportunities and business growth seem to be stagnating. This could lead to a much-needed boost in the local economy.
