Finance

German tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January, finance ministry says

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 19, 2026

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· Last updated: April 3, 2026

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German tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January, finance ministry says
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BERLIN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Germany's federal and state government tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January compared with the same month a year ago, the finance ministry said in its monthly report on

Germany’s tax take slips 3.4% in January, finance ministry says

January Tax Revenues and 2026 Outlook

BERLIN, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Germany's federal and state government tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January compared with the same month a year ago, the finance ministry said in its monthly report on Friday.

One-off Factors Distorting Comparison

The year-on-year comparison was distorted by one-off factors affecting federal taxes, most of which relate to the comparative base from January 2025, the report said. Excluding those effects, the figures would show a slight increase, it added.

Total Collections in January

Total tax revenues in January reached 64.5 billion euros ($75.82 billion), according to the report.

GDP Growth Forecast for 2026

The government expects 1.0% economic growth in 2026, a modest recovery following years of stagnation.

Tax Revenue Projection for 2026

Tax experts see tax revenue increasing to 926.9 billion euros in 2026, up 2.8% from the previous year, according to the report.

Exchange Rate Reference

($1 = 0.8507 euros)

Reporting and Editing Credits

(Reporting by Maria MartinezEditing by Madeline Chambers)

Key Takeaways

  • German tax revenues declined 3.4% year-on-year in January.
  • Finance ministry says one-off federal factors distorted the 2025 base.
  • Excluding those effects, January receipts would show a slight increase.
  • Total January collections amounted to €64.5 billion.
  • Government projects 1.0% GDP growth in 2026; tax experts see €926.9bn in 2026 revenue, up 2.8%.

References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main topic?
Germany’s finance ministry reported that tax revenues fell 3.4% year-on-year in January to €64.5 billion. One-off federal factors inflated the prior-year base, and excluding them, receipts would have slightly increased.
Why did revenues fall year-on-year?
The year-on-year comparison was distorted by one-off factors affecting federal taxes in the January 2025 base. Without these temporary effects, January 2026 revenues show a modest uptick.
What is the outlook for 2026?
The government expects 1.0% economic growth in 2026. Tax experts project total revenues to reach about €926.9 billion, up 2.8% from the previous year.

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