published
Voting in Basel-StadtLess taxes for everyone – and yet a left-wing alliance is against it
In Basel-Stadt, taxes are to be reduced for everyone – i.e. people with low to high incomes, families, couples without children and individuals. The canton will vote on the proposal on March 12th.
Because the canton of Basel-Stadt is doing well financially and has had high surpluses for years, all taxpayers should be relieved.
20 minutes/Michael Scherrer
An alliance of left-wing parties and trade union representatives has lodged the referendum. The committee advocates a no because it relieves the rich more than the poor.
The green
This will be voted on in Basel-Stadt
On March 12, Basel-Stadt will vote on the tax package proposal. In the canton, taxes are to be reduced for all taxpayers. The tax package is intended to relieve the population by CHF 112 million per year compared to 2022. The entire population should benefit from the tax cuts: people with low to high incomes, families, couples and individuals. The voting question is: Do you want to accept the decision of the Grand Council of September 21, 2022 regarding the amendment of the law on direct taxes?
The Government Council and the Grand Council have drawn up the tax package that is intended to relieve all taxpayers. “Compared to 2022, taxpayers will be relieved of 112 million francs per year,” says the canton’s voting brochure. “It’s time to ease the tax burden on the population. The canton has had high surpluses over the past 15 years and there are numerous political demands from left to right,” argues the government council for the tax package.
That’s exactly what it’s about
-
the bottom one income tax rate is to be reduced from 21.5 to 21 percent.
-
The deduction of health insurance premiums will be increased. CHF 4,000 per person insurance deduction and 8,000 francs per married couple. In addition, people who receive premium reductions can make the deduction in full.
-
The wealth tax should be lowered. Instead of nine per thousand, the highest rate should be 7.9 per thousand in the future.
-
The social deduction increases by 400 francs for individuals, by 700 francs for single parents and by 800 francs for married couples and cohabiting couples.
-
The tax package increases the child deduction. In addition, the deduction for those costs that arise from third-party care for children, for example at day-care centers, will be increased.
I can save that much
The online portal Bajour has one tax calculator programmed to spit out what you would save if the tax package were passed on March 12th.
This group will benefit most from the tax package
Opinions differ on this question. According to SP government councilor Tanja Soland, head of the Basel finance department, middle-class families with children will benefit the most from a yes vote. A left-wing alliance that formed in the course of the referendum campaign disagrees. The Juso, the Greens and the Basta are of the opinion that top earners in particular will benefit from the “excessive” relief.
That is why the left alliance is campaigning for a no
The Juso, the Greens and the Basta have submitted a referendum against the tax cuts in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Their point of view: the tax package is unbalanced and top earners and the wealthy would benefit too much. It is a wrong sign that the richest should be relieved, according to Councilor Anina Ineichen (Greens). The president of Juso Nino Russano explains on Twitter why he put a no in the ballot box. “I am in favor of saying no to the tax package because people with high incomes and wealth benefit significantly more from this package than people with low incomes.” Instead, the referendum committee wants:
-
Eliminate the child care deduction
-
Rent subsidies for families for whom housing is too expensive
These parties support the tax package
This picture is a rarity: politicians from SP to SVP are committed to the initiative.
According to Councilor Pascal Pfister, the tax package is a “compromise”. “We at the SP have primarily brought in the increase in the social deduction. This means that the lower middle class also has more money in their wallets,” says the politician. “Down with the taxes” is also calling for Councilor Luca Urgese (FDP). “After more than ten years with high surpluses, it’s high time to finally relieve all taxpayers,” he says.
