The Social Democratic Party (SPD) is advocating for the abolition of the “Ehegattensplitting” system, a taxation model impacting married couples in Germany. According to Wiebke Esdar, Deputy Chairwoman of the SPD parliamentary group, the system disproportionately benefits households where one spouse earns significantly more than the other.
Esdar, in remarks to the Handelsblatt newspaper, argued the current model creates disincentives for women’s employment, contributing to higher rates of part-time work. She pointed to potential consequences, including reduced benefits during unemployment or short-time work schemes and lower pension entitlements. Furthermore, Esdar stated that the state should not be seen to promote outdated gender roles or inequality, particularly its potential to create dependency for women. She emphasized a need for fundamental reform within this area.
SPD North Rhine-Westphalia Chairwoman Sarah Philipp echoed the call for reform. She expressed willingness to negotiate a transition to a “fairer family splitting” model with the conservative Union parties. Philipp also addressed ongoing debates regarding the reform of the social state, asserting that closing budget shortfalls solely through cuts to social programs is an inaccurate approach. She stressed the importance of focusing on the revenue side to maintain social safety nets.
The SPD’s stance is also supported by academic perspectives. Monika Schnitzer, Chairwoman of the Expert Council, recently recommended the abolishment of the system in a report for the German-French Council of Ministers. Previous research from the RWI economic institute estimated that removing the current system could lead to an increase of over half a million full-time positions. The “Ehegattensplitting” system provides a tax advantage to married couples, primarily benefiting those where income disparities are substantial.