The coalition leaders have agreed in the fight against the consequences of the corona crisis that the VAT will be temporarily reduced.
- The leaders of the coalition have agreed on an economic package worth billions because of the Corona crisis.
- From July 1 to December 31, the VAT rate will be reduced from 19 to 16 percent and the reduced rate from 7 percent to 5 percent.
- There should also be a relief, for example, in electricity costs.
Update of June 4, 2020: Lower VAT and relief on electricity costs
The coalition leaders have agreed on an economic package worth billions in the fight against the consequences of the corona crisis . Among other things, a temporary reduction in VAT is planned . As reported by Spiegel Online, the VAT rate is to be reduced from 19 percent to 16 percent from July 1 to December 31, 2020 and from seven percent to five percent for the reduced rate .
The coalition also wants to relieve citizens and companies, for example, of electricity costs . As reported online by Spiegel Online, the EEG surcharge for the promotion of green power plants is to be reduced from 2021 through grants from the federal budget - this is clear from the decision paper that is available to Spiegel.
Read also: 300 euros per child: families get more money with a child bonus
Update from May 29, 2020: Seven percent VAT on food in restaurants from July
The VAT on food in the catering trade is temporarily reduced from 19 to 7 percent . This is intended to support restaurants that have suffered major drops in sales due to the corona pandemic. The tax cut will apply from July and is limited to one year , as reported by the German Press Agency.
It remains to be seen whether and how this will affect the wallet * . The reduced VAT for on-site consumption to seven percent does not mean that restaurant prices for consumers will drop, said Dehoga President Guido Zöllick in the "Tagesspiegel". However, the measure helps to "at least compensate a little for the losses and additional costs".
The criticism from hosts : pubs, bars and clubs would be forgotten - because the VAT on drinks should not be reduced .
Read also: Beer gardens and restaurants open again: large overview for all federal states
Udpate of May 28: Bundestag decides to continue paying wages for parents
Parents who look after their children during the Corona crisis and are unable to work are paid an extended wage . The Bundestag decided on Thursday and approved a corresponding amendment by the federal government.
The federal government agreed last Wednesday to extend continued wages from six to ten weeks per parent, for single parents to 20 weeks. Loss of earnings for parents who are unable to work because they have to look after their children are replaced by the state at 67 percent of their net income. Continued payment of wages is capped at 2,016 euros per month.
Also read : Innovations in short-time work benefits: This applies to employees and the self-employed
Article from April 2, 2020: Many new rules for consumers
Attention consumers : Since April 1, 2020 * there have been some innovations . As of April 1, some of the laws that were changed as planned came into force, as reported by ZDF.de (as of April 1, 2020). In addition, there were some emergency regulations that the federal government decided on short notice because of the corona crisis *.
Here is an overview of what changes financially for consumers:
Rental brake and owner loan - that's new
Rental price brake: The rental price brake extended until 2025 comes into force. Where it applies, a landlord can usually charge a maximum of ten percent more than the standard local rent when changing residents. For the first time, tenants can subsequently claim back excess rent - for up to two and a half years.
Homeowner loan : "Anyone who took out a consumer loan to finance residential property before March 15, 2020 can suspend the installment payments for three months," says a report on zdf.de on the new regulations. This applies to both interest, repayment and repayments that are due between April 1 and June 30, 2020. The prerequisite is that the owner has to prove that he has lost income due to the corona crisis and that the mortgaging of the loan jeopardizes his livelihood.
Read here : Corona aid from the state - who is entitled to what - and from whom?
Hartz IV and Bafög - relief in the corona crisis
Hartz IV : Because of the corona crisis, applications for Hartz IV, according to ZDF.de, are not being carried out for the time being. Applicants no longer have to appear in person at the job center - they can also submit applications online or by phone.
Bafög : According to the ZDF report (as of April 1, 2020), new rules apply to Bafög repayers: "In future, you will now pay a maximum of EUR 130 per month instead of the previous maximum of EUR 105 per month (with a maximum repayment amount of EUR 10,000) 77 months (with a maximum repayment amount of EUR 10,010). "
Also interesting : Tax return 2020 - You should now claim these special expenses.
Source: dpa, ZDF.de.
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* merkur.de is part of the nationwide central Ippen editorial network.
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