The Grand Coalition decided in the new climate package to increase the commuter allowance, so that those affected get a compensation for the fact that in the course of higher taxes on carbon dioxide gasoline price increases. But this could benefit in particular top earners. Therefore, the SPD wants the weekly newspaper "time" according to the increase decided even further - in favor of low-income earners.
According to the report, the Social Democrats want to supplement the commuter allowance with a kind of climate bonus. It is important that the package be "socially equitable," says Johannes Kahrs, budget spokesman for the Party of Time.
Additional budget funds needed
Specifically, it is about the fact that the commuter commute basically means a tax relief: Who commutes much pays less taxes. However, low-income workers often pay no taxes and are therefore not reimbursed.
These people should now also receive state subsidies according to the ideas of the SPD. For this, additional money would have to be provided in the household.
This proposal also complies with the recommendations of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). "If you have a higher income, you can also drive cars with a consumption of seven or eight liters without having to worry about high additional costs," said DIW researcher Stefan Bach. There is no incentive for smaller cars. He therefore proposes a mobility allowance per distance kilometer, which relieves all commuters equally regardless of their income.