SPD and Greens want to expand culture and tourism taxes

According to the will of the SPD and the Greens, business travelers should also pay the culture and tourism tax for overnight stays in Hamburg. The two parties are demanding this in a joint application for the citizenship meeting on November 30, as the SPD parliamentary group announced on Friday. Dissenting voices come from the FDP parliamentary group, among others. Until now, only tourists have paid the culture and tourism tax.

According to the SPD, the expansion is expected to generate additional income of around 8.3 million euros. “These should also be used to help the tourism industry, which has been hit by the corona and energy crises,” said budget spokesman Milan Pein. Part of the money should also flow into culture and sport.

Dennis Paustian-Döscher from the Green Group said: "By expanding the culture and tourism tax, it will no longer be necessary to differentiate between private and business trips in the future, which ultimately means less bureaucracy for the hotel and catering industry."

Sami Musa from the FDP sees the expansion of the culture and tourism tax as a relief. It comes at a bad time: "Instead of continuing to burden companies in times of inflation and energy price shocks, the Senate should take relief measures."

The amount of the tax depends on the accommodation costs. It is between 0.50 euros per guest and day with an overnight price (net) of 10.01 to 25 euros and four euros with a price between 151 and 200 euros. For each additional €50.00 net fee or part thereof, the tax increases by €1.