The contribution service wants to make sure that everyone pays the broadcasting contribution.
Letters are sent for this purpose – those who ignore them must expect high costs.
Munich – Almost every German household has to pay the license fee.
There are only a few exceptions, for example for recipients of citizen's money or student loans.
But many want to avoid the costs of the former GEZ and do not register when moving to a new apartment.
In order to find out about these people, the so-called contribution service, through which the payment of the fee is processed, has been sending out letters since January 10th.
Broadcasting fee: Letter to compare registration data will be sent again
"The nationwide comparison of registration data is intended to ensure that the data in the contribution service is up-to-date, so that all citizens continue to participate in the financing of public broadcasting," says the website for the broadcasting contribution.
But what exactly does this comparison of reports mean?
Merkur.de
clarifies the most important questions:
Who will receive the letter from the contribution service?
All adults who cannot be assigned to a registered apartment will receive a letter from the contribution service.
Where does the contribution service for the broadcasting contribution get the data on people and places of residence?
The contribution service receives the data from the residents’ registration offices.
They pass on information about the name, address, doctoral degree, marital status, date of birth and the date of moving into the apartment to the broadcasting contribution office.
What to do when you receive the letter for the broadcasting fee?
The cover letter also includes an answer sheet.
This should be filled out and returned within two weeks.
Alternatively, it can also be answered online.
What happens after filling out the answer sheet?
The answer sheet is used to check whether everyone who is obliged to do so pays the license fee.
If the person addressed lives in a household in which a roommate pays the fee, nothing changes and the personal data will be deleted by the fee service.
If the license fee has not yet been paid, it will then be due.
What happens if you don't respond to the letter from the post service?
A reminder letter will follow.
If there is still no reaction, the person concerned is automatically registered for the broadcasting fee and a contribution account is opened.
The person concerned is thus also asked to pay the contribution of EUR 18.36 per month.
If you do not comply with this request, reminders will follow and, in case of doubt, even an enforcement order.
Ignoring the letter only leads to trouble and, in the worst case, to high additional costs.
Can it happen that you have already paid the license fee and still get a message?
Yes, it cannot be ruled out that such a letter will end up with the wrong person.
However, you shouldn't ignore it.
Even those who have already paid should definitely fill out the answer sheet to avoid penalties.
(ph)
List of rubrics: © IMAGO / UJ Alexander