The Bundesrat has stopped the planned tax relief bonus for the time being - Saxony has also not approved it. "Anyone promising relief must not unilaterally shift responsibility to companies, municipalities and the federal states," said Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer. Policy must be geared towards the reality of people and businesses, and the relief premium does not do this justice. "SMEs and the skilled trades in particular are struggling with high energy and material costs as well as ever more bureaucracy." The CDU politician criticized the fact that many smaller companies are currently unable to afford additional voluntary benefits, while at the same time the federal states and local authorities are expected to bear billions in tax losses. This morning, the Bundesrat surprisingly rejected the tax-free relief bonus of up to 1,000 euros that companies can pay to their employees. Only four states agreed, Saxony was not one of them. The federal government can now call on the mediation committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat to find a compromise. The draft bill provides for employers to be able to pay their employees a relief bonus of up to 1,000 euros this year and until June 30, 2027, which does not have to be taxed. The federal states had criticized the fact that around two thirds of the tax losses caused would have to be borne by the federal states and local authorities. Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reservedOnly four states vote in favour of the bonus
