Finance
German tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January, finance ministry says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 19, 2026
Quick Summary
Germany’s finance ministry said tax revenues fell 3.4% in January to €64.5bn, distorted by one‑off federal factors tied to January 2025. Excluding these, receipts edged up. Berlin projects 1.0% GDP growth and higher tax intake in 2026.
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%.
Frequently Asked Questions about German tax revenues fell by 3.4% in January, finance ministry says
1What 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.
2Why 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.
3What 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.
