• Press

    Scrap It – Ideas for Bureaucracy Reduction

    Together with Focus online, Business Punk, and The European, we are launching the "Scrap It" initiative to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. Every two weeks, our "Ms. Bureaucracy Reduction," Dr. Gisela Meister-Scheufelen, presents proposals on which government regulations, laws, and requirements can be abolished entirely. All ideas are described in practical terms and compiled in a handy publication. Available as an e-book.

News
  • Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Erbschaftsteuer und Zukunftsfähigkeit: Was Start-ups und Familienunternehmen gemeinsam haben

    Dr. Annika von Mutius hat mit Empion ein KI-Start-up für wertebasiertes Recruiting mitaufgebaut – und entstammt auch einer traditionsreichen Unternehmerfamilie mit mehr als 150 Jahren Geschichte. Im Gespräch mit der Stiftung Familienunternehmen und Politik erklärt sie, warum diese Doppelperspektive ihren Blick auf die Erbschaftsteuer prägt und welche Reformen sie sich von der Politik wünscht.

    Dr. Annika von Mutius hat mit Empion ein KI-Start-up für wertebasiertes Recruiting mitaufgebaut – und entstammt auch einer traditionsreichen Unternehmerfamilie mit mehr als 150 Jahren Geschichte. Im Gespräch mit der Stiftung Familienunternehmen und Politik erklärt sie, warum diese Doppelperspektive ihren Blick auf die Erbschaftsteuer prägt und welche Reformen sie sich von der Politik wünscht.

  • "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation
    Thema EU & Internal Market, Labor & Skilled Workforce, Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    "Our economy is slowly bleeding out" – Four Family Entrepreneurs in FOCUS's Major Summit Conversation

    Over-regulation, a lack of investment incentives, and capital migrating abroad: in FOCUS's major summit conversation, four family business owners speak frankly about Germany as a business location. What they are calling for — and what they expect.

    Over-regulation, a lack of investment incentives, and capital migrating abroad: in FOCUS's major summit conversation, four family business owners speak frankly about Germany as a business location. What they are calling for — and what they expect.

  • Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good

    Dr. David Deißner on Phoenix Runde: Family Businesses Are the Foundation of the Common Good

    Am 30. April 2026 war Dr. David Deißner, Geschäftsführer unserer Stiftung, zu Gast in der phoenix runde. Unter der Moderation von Anke Plättner diskutierte er mit Helena Steinhaus (Sanktionsfrei e.V.), der SPD-Bundestagsabgeordneten Annika Klose und Kay Gottschalk, dem finanzpolitischem Sprecher der AfD-Fraktion, über das Thema „Arm und Reich in Deutschland - Die große Ungerechtigkeit?“.

    Am 30. April 2026 war Dr. David Deißner, Geschäftsführer unserer Stiftung, zu Gast in der phoenix runde. Unter der Moderation von Anke Plättner diskutierte er mit Helena Steinhaus (Sanktionsfrei e.V.), der SPD-Bundestagsabgeordneten Annika Klose und Kay Gottschalk, dem finanzpolitischem Sprecher der AfD-Fraktion, über das Thema „Arm und Reich in Deutschland - Die große Ungerechtigkeit?“.

  • Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society? Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society?
    Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Debate in taz: Is Germany a Just Society?

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Board Member of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, debates Kevin Kühnert of Finanzwende (a German civic finance watchdog) on wealth distribution, inheritance tax, and what fairness means in practice. Two positions — clearly argued, sharply opposed. Read the full German interview in taz now.

    Prof. Rainer Kirchdörfer, Board Member of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics, debates Kevin Kühnert of Finanzwende (a German civic finance watchdog) on wealth distribution, inheritance tax, and what fairness means in practice. Two positions — clearly argued, sharply opposed. Read the full German interview in taz now.

  • Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government
    Thema Reducing Bureaucracy, Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    Family Businesses in Thuringia Call for Faster Reform Pace from the Federal Government

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

    Family business owners meet Thuringia's Minister-President Mario Voigt in Erfurt and call on the federal government to deliver a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. The press release was issued on the occasion of the Foundation for Family Businesses and Politics event "Family Entrepreneurs in Conversation" (Familienunternehmer im Gespräch).

  • Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Majority of Businesses Reject Flat Tax on Inheritances

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

    When it comes to inheritance tax, business sentiment is unambiguous: 85 percent of companies surveyed are convinced that a distinction between private and business assets must be maintained. This is the finding of a representative ifo survey commissioned by the Foundation for Family Businesses, in which more than 900 family businesses of all sizes participated.

  • Erbschaftsteuer
    Thema Law & Taxes

    Andreas Hettich on Inheritance Tax

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

    Was bedeutet Erbschaftsteuer für ein Unternehmen mit 138 Jahren Geschichte, 8.000 Mitarbeitern und über einer Milliarde Euro Umsatz? Dr. Andreas Hettich, Beiratsvorsitzender der Hettich Unternehmensgruppe, erklärt im Interview, warum die bestehenden Verschonungsregelungen für die Übergabe von Familienunternehmen an die nächste Generation unverzichtbar sind.

  • Inheritance Tax Relief: Family Entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser Explains Why It Is Indispensable

    In this interview, family entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser explains how the inheritance tax relief provision enabled the growth of his company — and why abolishing it could trigger an economic crisis.

    In this interview, family entrepreneur Thomas Kaeser explains how the inheritance tax relief provision enabled the growth of his company — and why abolishing it could trigger an economic crisis.

  • Thema Law & Taxes, Location Policy

    The Myths of Tax Populists: The Fact-Based Film on Inheritance Tax with David Deißner

    About no other tax are so many half-truths told as about inheritance tax. Fighting terms like "super-rich" or "tax haven Germany" dominate the public discussion. But what is really behind it?

    About no other tax are so many half-truths told as about inheritance tax. Fighting terms like "super-rich" or "tax haven Germany" dominate the public discussion. But what is really behind it?

  • Thema Labor & Skilled Workforce

    Interview with Family Entrepreneur Silke Burger: Skilled Labor Shortage in Manufacturing

    Silke Burger, family entrepreneur and HR director of the Burger Group in the Black Forest, discusses the current challenges facing her company. The Burger Group is a fifth- and sixth-generation family business and one of the leading system partners in customized drive technology.

    Silke Burger, family entrepreneur and HR director of the Burger Group in the Black Forest, discusses the current challenges facing her company. The Burger Group is a fifth- and sixth-generation family business and one of the leading system partners in customized drive technology.

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