Mobility bonus: not all commuters can benefit from the tax bonus
Created: 01/13/2022, 02:46 PM
By: Anne Hund
Not everyone is entitled to the mobility bonus.
Roughly speaking, commuters receive 14 percent of the increased commuter allowance for every additional kilometer - i.e. 4.9 cents.
© Jens Wolf / dpa (archive image / symbol image)
It is now possible to apply for the so-called mobility premium.
Tax experts explain who the bonus is intended for and what specific requirements must be met.
Under certain conditions, commuters can now
apply for the so-called mobility premium for 2021
.
In particular
, long-distance commuters with low incomes *
could benefit from it, according to a report by the German Press Agency (dpa).
The experts from Lohnsteuerhilfe (Lohi) Bayern explain what exactly is meant: "Anyone who has
less than the annual basic tax allowance of 9,744 euros
with their taxable income can apply for the mobility bonus for the year 2021, " says the statement from lohi.
Married couples who can be invested together would also have to “keep their income below double the basic tax allowance of 19,488 euros, even if they have to apply for the mobility premium individually”.
Who is entitled to the mobility grant?
But that's not all, another condition has to be met: The one-
way commute
must be more than 20 kilometers and the employee lump sum of 1,000 euros with travel costs must be exceeded, the Lohi continues. Thus, the mobility premium is "particularly interesting for long-distance commuters and family travelers who have two households".
The premium is currently
limited to the end of 2026
and amounts to 14 percent of the also temporarily increased distance flat rate, according to the announcement.
The calculation is a bit complicated.
But: "To put it simply, there are 4.9 cents from the tax office from the 21st kilometer," said Lohi.
In other words: Commuters then receive 14 percent of the increased commuter allowance for every additional kilometer - i.e. 4.9 cents.
You can also read
: Tax 2022: That will change this year for many consumers
Income tax assistance: Application for the mobility allowance is possible with immediate effect
The
application for the mobility grant
can be submitted to the tax office using an additional form together with the tax documents.
This is possible up to four years after the end of the calendar year in which it was created.
For the year 2021, the application can be made immediately and at the latest by the end of 2025.
Also interesting
: Payment: You have to consider this with a mini job since January 2022.
What does the tax relief do?
In many cases, however, the premium is lower than hoped, according to the experts.
"Because it only comes into play when the usual flat-rate income allowance is exceeded and is also capped at the top." In addition, when the premium is claimed, there is an obligation to submit a tax return.
"Many people will therefore possibly forego the few euros due to the increased workload."
(Ahu) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
