Increased property taxes looming in Solingen, CDU issues caution for 2028 rise
In the bustling city of Solingen, a significant shift in property tax reform is underway, with the CDU, led by Daniel Flemm, taking the forefront in proposing changes aimed at providing relief for homeowners.
The current reform, which recalculates property values, has led to steep increases in annual property tax bills for many homeowners, particularly those with larger plots of land. This is due to a methodology that disproportionately taxes larger properties, causing a significant burden on affected homeowners.
In response to these concerns, the CDU has proposed solutions to ease the tax burden. Their main approach includes offering relief measures such as exemptions or tax caps for larger plots, as well as adjusting the tax recalculation methodology to be more gradual or to factor in usage and location more fairly.
Daniel Flemm believes that Solingen could follow the example set by Bochum, implementing differentiated tax rates. He asserts that the introduction of such rates is both legally and technically feasible.
The CDU also proposes avoiding blanket tax increases from 2028, instead suggesting a long-term, moderate, and predictable adjustment of the property tax through annual indexing of 1 to 2 percent.
The decisive factor for the implementation of differentiated tax rates, according to the CDU, is political will. Daniel Flemm and his team are ready to take responsibility for finding a fairer solution for Solingen.
The proposed tax changes are revenue-neutral for the city but would provide relief for around 42,000 households. The CDU demands the introduction of differentiated tax rates for residential and commercial properties starting from 2026, with rates of 711% and 1,048% respectively.
Furthermore, the CDU suggests a review of rural properties, with the potential to create living space, but notes that this would require development plans for housing gaps.
While the precise details of the CDU’s proposals are not extensively documented, this general approach aligns with common political responses to such tax reforms. The CDU's proposals aim to bring fairness and predictability to Solingen's property tax system, providing relief to many homeowners while maintaining the city's revenue.
Business and politics in Solingen are centered around a property tax reform, with the CDU, under the leadership of Daniel Flemm, advocating for changes to alleviate homeowners' burdens. The CDU's proposals, including offering relief measures for larger plots and implementing differentiated tax rates, aim to bring fairness and predictability to the finance sector, aligning with general-news trends in tax reforms.
