„Let’s Talk About Law“ – The Interactive Discussion Series: Who Pays? Who Receives? – How Our Tax Law Works
With a new edition of the interactive discussion series „Let’s Talk About Law,“ the program is now kicking off the new season at the Leipzig location of the Forum Recht Foundation. On Wednesday, April 15 2026, at 7:00 p.m., this time we’re addressing a topic that permeates everyone’s daily life: taxes. From value-added tax to inheritance tax to tobacco tax, a wide range of areas is affected. Taxes serve to finance the national budget, but they are also used specifically to influence behavior. Socially, the primary concern is often that tax dollars are misused or even wasted. The tax system is frequently perceived as opaque and unfair.
Our guests include the honorary chairman of the German Tax Workers' Union Thomas Eigenthaler and the attorney specializing in tax law Dr. Eugen Mehlhaf. Together with the host Susann Böttcher Take a close look at the tax system: What guidelines does the Constitution set forth for tax law, and what fundamental principles shape it? What does „tax justice“ mean from a legal perspective? Would a wealth tax be constitutionally permissible or even required, and if so, is there a constitutional cap on the tax burden?
These and other fascinating questions will be explored in a group discussion. The audience is cordially invited to join the discussion and contribute their own questions.
Guests
Thomas Eigenthaler As a lawyer, he worked for many years as the head of a tax office in the tax administration. He also served as the national chairman of the German Tax Union and advised the Bundestag’s Finance Committee as an expert on various topics related to tax law.
Photo: private collection
Dr. Eugen Mehlhaf is a certified tax law attorney, tax consultant, and partner at the law firm Streck Mack Schwedhelm. There, he advises clients primarily on international tax law, corporate tax law, and disputes with tax authorities. Mr. Mehlhaf is also an adjunct lecturer in tax law at the University of Osnabrück.
Photo: Christoph Kassette
Moderated by
This year, the journalist and host will be hosting the Leipzig editions of „Let’s Talk About Law“ Susann Böttcher. Susann Böttcher is a host on news radio, as well as for podcasts and on stage. A law graduate, she covers a wide range of topics—from politics and health to business and sports. She can be heard regularly on the Bundesliga program and on ARD’s discussion show „Mitreden! Deutschland diskutiert.“ Most recently, she hosted ARD’s Olympic evening broadcast.
Photo: Falko Simon
About the Event Series
Since 2025, the Forum Recht Foundation has been regularly hosting the „Let’s Talk About Recht“ discussion series at its venues in Karlsruhe and Leipzig. The guests are prominent figures from various fields of law who discuss their day-to-day work and share their perspectives on current legal topics—ranging from labor law and tenancy law to freedom of speech. The discussions are recorded and subsequently released as a live-on-tape podcast.
Learn more about the event series here.
Service
Admission is free of charge. Registration is not required.
Please note our Accessibility information for the event venues.
Doors open 20 minutes before the show starts.
Share your experiences and questions! Join the discussion now on current legal topics from the series at the Participation platform of the Forum Recht Foundation.