Hesse's Tax Investigators and Auditors Secure Around Two Billion Euros in Additional Revenue

Lorz emphasized that tax honesty pays off for the general public. „Wer versucht, sich an der Gemeinschaft der ehrlichen Steuerzahlerinnen und Steuerzahler zu vergehen, bekommt es mit der Steuerfahndung zu tun", the minister said. Fluctuations between individual years can often be explained by particularly significant individual cases.

Lorz Warns Against Tax Evasion

For comparison: In 2024, the auditors had achieved an additional result of 1.34 billion euros, according to the ministry, with tax investigators adding a further 253 million euros. The higher figures now reported illustrate the increased success of the Hesse tax administration in uncovering evasion.

The President of the Frankfurt am Main Higher Finance Authority, Konstanze Bepperling, highlighted the role of her authority for tax justice. „Wir stehen für Steuergerechtigkeit und sichern die Steuereinnahmen des Landes zur Sicherstellung der Staatsaufgaben", she stated. At the same time, she announced: „Steuerbetrug und Organisierter Kriminalität zeigen wir die Stirn."

Bepperling Emphasizes Tax Justice

While tax investigators generally only become active when there are indications of an administrative offense or criminal act, auditors often conduct routine checks. According to the OFD, both areas complement each other in securing tax revenue.

In addition to the additional revenue, criminal sanctions also took their toll in 2025. According to ministry figures, final prison sentences amounted to 193 years for tax investigation and 203 years for the fine and criminal matters units. Thanks to these units, final financial sanctions totaling just over nine million euros were also imposed, according to the Finance Ministry.

Penalties and Financial Sanctions

The Hesse tax administration thus considers itself well positioned both in uncovering tax evasion and in combating organized crime. The Frankfurt am Main OFD is the central intermediate authority of the tax administration in Hesse and coordinates the work of the tax offices in the state.

The additional revenue flows into the state budget — money that would be missing without the work of tax investigators and auditors. The state government views the results as confirmation of the course taken in tax control.

For the coming years, the Finance Ministry announced its intention to maintain the staffing and technical equipment of the tax administration. The fight against tax fraud will remain a focus of Hesse's financial policy.