I am American born and raised with no plans on moving to Germany or anywhere in Europe. I recently found out I qualify for German citizenship. This appeals to me for things like traveling and (in a worst case scenario) healthcare in Germany.

I have started the application but have not submitted anything to the consul yet. I've Googled this and get some outdated responses some of which aren't clear. I just have 2 questions about this (hoping someone here may know what I'm talking about):

1. I do not have kids yet. If I get dual citizenship with the USA and Germany would my American born children automatically be citizens of Germany or are they just American citizens and they have to apply later for German citizenship? I know that German males have to automatically register for the military at 18 which is why I am asking.

2. I'm seeing a general "not usually" but that usually part scares me LOL when it comes to taxes. Again I have to plans to move to Germany or anywhere in Europe. If I get the dual citizneship do I pay taxes to Germany and the US? Someone years ago said on a forum that you are in a higher tax bracket in the U.S with dual citizenship.

Thanks.