A leading representative of the German Customs and Finance Trade Union (BDZ) is advocating for the elimination of specific exemptions from vehicle tax (Kfz-Steuer) currently granted to certain professional groups. Thomas Liebel, BDZ chairman, told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” that the reduced tariffs benefiting fairground operators and farmers create unnecessary administrative burdens for both taxpayers and customs officials.
Liebel expressed concern that the complex verification processes required for these tax benefits consume a disproportionate amount of paperwork and personnel resources. He highlighted the difficulty in automating these procedures within Germany’s current digital infrastructure, which he characterized as a “digital wasteland.
The chairman suggested that abolishing these exemptions could free up resources that could be redirected towards reducing the vehicle tax rate for all taxpayers. This move, he argued, would streamline processes and potentially provide wider financial relief.