Mathias Brecht is the new director of the Heidelberg Tax Office. He succeeds Thomas Riedel, who retired on July 1, 2026.
State Secretary of Finance Andrea Lindlohr, Member of the State Parliament: “Mathias Brecht brings extensive leadership experience and a comprehensive understanding of tax administration, which he has gained from various perspectives. These are important prerequisites for successfully leading the Heidelberg Tax Office going forward.”
At the official inauguration ceremony, the State Secretary also thanked the outgoing director, Thomas Riedel, who led the Heidelberg Tax Office for ten years.
Mathias Brecht first completed training as a police officer and as a civil servant before earning his high school diploma and subsequently studying law at the University of Mannheim.
In 1999, he joined the Baden-Württemberg tax administration at the Mannheim-Neckarstadt Tax Office. A year later, he was transferred to the Karlsruhe-Durlach Tax Office as head of the Criminal and Fine Matters Unit, and two years later to the Budget Department of the Ministry of Finance.
From 2003 to 2006, Brecht worked at the Regional Finance Office as a personal advisor to the Regional Finance President. He was subsequently appointed acting head of the Karlsruhe-Durlach Tax Office. From 2013 to 2019, he headed the Weinheim Tax Office, and from 2019 to 2026, the Bruchsal Tax Office.
On August 6, 2026, he will assume the directorship of the Heidelberg Tax Office.
Heidelberg Tax Office
The Heidelberg Tax Office is responsible for the city of Heidelberg as well as 17 surrounding towns and municipalities in the Rhine-Neckar district. Approximately 316,600 people live within its jurisdiction.
Heidelberg is a major hub for business, science, and research. The university, the university hospital, internationally active companies, medium-sized global market leaders, and innovative startups shape the region. Among the major companies are SAP and Heidelberg Materials. The total tax revenue collected by the Heidelberg Tax Office in 2025 amounted to approximately 5.57 billion euros.
The Heidelberg Tax Office currently employs 483 people, including 59 trainees. Women make up 66 percent of the workforce. In senior management positions, the proportion of women is 54 percent.
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A photo of Mathias Brecht is available for download here. It may be used in connection with this news item. Photo credit: “Photo: private.”