How to calculate short-time work benefits - and this applies when you get sick

2020-05-06T16:03:02.478Z

The experts at Stiftung Warentest explain how you can calculate short-time work benefits - and what those affected should pay attention to.

The experts at Stiftung Warentest explain how you can calculate short-time work benefits - and what those affected should pay attention to.

In the corona crisis , many companies have registered short-time working.

The experts at Stiftung Warentest explain how you can calculate short-time work benefits .
They also give tips on what else to consider when it comes to short-time work benefits.

How to calculate the short-time allowance: experts give advice

In the wake of the Corona crisis *, short-time work has already been applied for for more than ten million employees . An instrument for hundreds of thousands of companies in Germany to get through the crisis - and to avoid layoffs at best. Anyone who likes to calculate how high the short-time allowance is at what salary - and other circumstances - can find help at Stiftung Warentest . The experts have now made a short-time allowance calculator available on your website, where the amount can be easily calculated for everyone.

Here, Stiftung Warentest also answers the most important questions about what to watch out for short-time work benefits:

How much short-time work benefit do I get?

Stiftung Warentest explains : "As an employee, you receive 60 percent of the net wages actually due * from the employment agency for the lost working time. If there is at least one child in the household *, the short-time work benefit is around 67 percent. The employer must apply for this." An increase in short-time work benefits was also decided for the period from May 2020 : "Those who are at least 50 percent in short-time work receive 70 percent of the lost net wages from the fourth month of receiving short-time work benefits and 80 percent from the seventh month." And: "With children it is 77 percent from the fourth month and 87 percent from the seventh month."

In addition, those affected can now earn more as short-time workers according to the new rules : "From May 1, 2020, additional earnings will be possible up to the full amount of your previous monthly income. The restriction to systemically relevant professions will be lifted. These changes will apply until the end of 2020." The approval of the Bundestag and Bundesrat is required.

Read more here : Short-time work allowance is increased: this applies to employees and the self-employed

How do I calculate short-time work benefits?

"It is easiest if you use our new computer for this", so the advice from Stiftung Warentest. This short-time work allowance calculator also takes the planned increases into account. A flat-rate net fee is used as the basis for the calculation. "The decisive factor is regular gross wages in the sense of social security up to the contribution ceiling. This does not include remuneration for overtime and special payments," explains Stiftung Warentest. The employment agency bears the social security contributions for short-time work benefits.

Find out here : Money from the state - These offers and help are available to employees in short-time work

What happens if I get sick during short-time work?

"With a sick leave * you are entitled to continued payment and later sickness benefit, " explains Stiftung Warentest. "In the first six weeks you will continue to receive your reduced wages plus short-time work benefits. After six weeks, the health insurance company pays sickness benefits based on the income you achieved before short-time work. It is a maximum of 90 percent of your net salary minus employee contributions to social security."

Here you read : Coronavirus: sick leave by phone remains possible

Do I have to pay tax on my short-time work benefit?

"No, short-time work benefits are tax-free," the experts say. "But it is attributed to the taxable income fictitious. This results in a higher tax rate , which is applied to the residual income. When income tax deduction by the employer, he is not yet included, it is only in the tax return with the tax authorities to bear. Thus, there are additional demands. " What maybe not everyone knows: "If you still receive wages because you are not fully committed to short-time work, your employer will automatically adjust your wage tax to your lower salary."

Does the tax bracket affect short-time work benefits?

"Yes, very much so," emphasize the experts at Stiftung Warentest. Because the amount of short-time work depends on the monthly net salary. Her tip: "It is best if the recipient of the money chooses the tax class with the highest monthly net, ie III or at least IV. Tax disadvantages are offset with the tax return."

How the tax class influences the net salary * can be determined using the Stiftung Warentest salary calculator. "If you want to switch to tax classes III / V, you have to apply for it together as a couple. You can also switch to class IV by yourself, the other then automatically slips into IV," said the experts, who are also on the form "application for tax bracket change in spouse / partners" refer to print. Her advice also: "Incidentally, since the beginning of 2020 you can change tax classes several times a year."

Read here: Work with 55 less: This is how this dream comes true - and you have so much money

What do parents have to prove for the higher short-time work allowance?

"In your electronic income tax deduction features - Elstam - a child allowance of at least 0.5 must be entered", Stiftung Warentest also reports . "It doesn't matter how many children you have." Information on Elstam can be called up electronically at any time on the portal of the financial administration via "My Elster" under "Forms & Services".

A tip: "All you have to do is register once under" My Elster "(elster.de)." Now it is possible that this so-called child allowance counter is missing because your child turned 18 this year and therefore no longer the allowance is automatically taken into account, but only on request. Then have the tax office enter a child allowance in your Elstam as soon as possible. "

Child allowances are parents for over 18-year-old to how the experts also stress "when the offspring is about in training, studying or a voluntary social year makes." However, as the child benefit there is child allowances no longer than until the 25th birthday .

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