BERLIN, May 16 Reuters Germany39;s council of tax experts cut their forecast for total tax revenue over the next five years by 1.5 on Thursday, which could add another layer of complexity to already challenging negotiations for next year39;s budget.

The council now expects 80.7 billion euros 87.7 billion less in total tax revenue in the 20242028 period compared with its October forecast.

For the federal government alone, the council expects 41.6 billion euros less in tax revenues in the fiveyear period, according to its updated estimates.

For the 2025 budget, some ministries are pushing for higher spending, while the finance ministry insists on the need for fiscal consolidation.

These forecasts are a reality check for the federal budget, Finance Minister Christian Lindner said on Thursday. We need an economic turnaround instead of new debt.

While the various ministries39; spending wishes for 2025 already exceed Lindner39;s specifications by around 20 billion euros, the federal government is now expected to have 11 billion euros less in tax revenues next year than forecast in October.

We have to prepare the budget with the means that the taxpayers give us, Lindner said at the press conference presenting the new forecasts. The result of the tax estimate therefore shatters the illusion of all those who may have assumed that money simply falls from the sky.

For the minister, the forecasts were no surprise, as the economy remains weak after shrinking 0.2 last year…