Is it true about Jews in Germany that they do not have to pay tax? and they are exempted from military ..?

Question

service and they enjoy many other advantage than the non-jew citizens? I read this on internet but I can not believe it! Would you kindly tell me is it true or not, and if it is true, why? and what do you think about it? (fair or unfair, tell when it should continue etc.),thanks.

Answer 1

My, my, I can only wonder what InterNet sites you have been visiting? With paying taxes, trust me everybody pays taxes in Germany. The thing about Jews not paying taxes comes from what German refer to as the 'Church Tax', and this is a good one - A certain part of your Income Tax that is taken out of your paycheck goes directly to the church. Unless of course you are  registered as not having a religion, then you do not have to pay the 'Church Tax'. Jews for historical reasons were exempt from this 'Church Tax'. With serving in the military, I can not answer that part of your question for sure. In Germany they do have what Americans would call the Draft. But, if you do not wish to be a soldier with a gun, then you have the option to do civil service; ie work in a hospital, or other volunteer work like that.  

I have lived in Germany for over 19 years. I have a very good friend that is a Rabbi(he opted for Civil Service). I am not aware that he enjoys any 'advantages' over Germans who are not Jewish? I wish we could get good New York City style bagels in Germany.  

Anyway, I am sure you will get some very interesting answers on this issue. I look forward to reading them.

Answer 2

so not true...

Answer 3

um, no it is not true.  Germans treat everyone equally...they don't insist on furthering racial/ethnic differences by preferring one race/monority over another like they do in the US.

Answer 4

Well, I don't know if this is true, but if it is true I'd say it is called an affirmative action. Here in the US we have that too, except it takes very different form (eg., job quota for minorities, etc).

Answer 5

No-it's not true. The German goverment isn't going to get into the business of who is or isn't a jew.

Answer 6

I want to add something to the previous answer about the church tax. This tax is only payed by people who are registered as member of a Christian denomination. It is then written in their documents that they are a Lutheran, for example, and so have to pay this tax. No non-Christian has to pay it, as it is for the church.

It should also be noted in this context that all the people here who have only minimal income or who live from social welfare don't have to pay taxes at all.

About the military I also want to say that nowadays it is very common to refuse military service and to do a civil service instead. It is simply a decision if they want to do military or civil service and most guys I know have chosen the civil service (of my generation, I am 25).

I don't know what other advantages you mean, but the rights and duties are same here for every citizen.

Your links are about relation to Israel, this has nothing to do with Jews living in Germany. I also think that Israel should not an uncondional support when they violate human rights.

Answer 7

No, it is not true. Jews are treated as any other Germans too. They also have to pay their taxes.

Military service is special in Germany. Men get invited to join the army for 6 months. If they can't because of physical ability or other circumstances, they get an exception and do social serviece instead for 10 months. And Jews are no exception to that.

They are as normal Germans and don't have a special status.

Answer 8

a german jew has to pay tax like everbody else. he also has the right not to join the army like any other german.

being jewish does not say what nationality you have.

hard to believe you read this on the net. maybe a page of people who also will tell you that the holocaust never happened?

i just read the 2 articles you mentioned. i guess you took the last comment on the 2. link (unrest between germans) a little wrong.

germany still pays huge amounts of money to israel for what happened in the past. also when it was deadly wrong and horrible,many germans think that's enough now. i wasn't even born then and still some of my taxmoney is send to israel. i don't like that either and i am not a racist or against anybody. i just think enough is enough.

ps. i don't blame you for asking and i also can't see any racist comment in your question. guess joseph must be one of the jews who thinks the whole world have to feel sorry for them.