In the new relief package, the traffic light promises an energy price flat rate of 300 euros. But when is it coming, who gets the money and how much goes on taxes?
Berlin – The Germans are now also feeling the consequences of the Ukraine war in their wallets. The energy prices for gas, oil and petrol as well as diesel have exploded in this country since Putin’s troops invaded Ukraine. The traffic light government around Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to remedy the situation with a new relief package. The heart of the matter: a flat-rate energy fee of 300 euros. But there are a few snags with the project.
Relief package: Traffic light promises 300 euros energy price flat rate
The one-time payment of 300 euros is to be given to all employed persons in Germany. “All employed persons who are subject to income tax (tax brackets 1 to 5) will be paid a one-off energy price lump sum of 300 euros as a salary subsidy,” says the resolution.
This means that the money should be paid out via the employer’s pay slip and is independent of the mobility bonus, commuter allowance and job ticket. The self-employed should benefit from a reduced income tax prepayment.
Relief package: How much of the 300 euros does the tax eat up and when will it be paid out?
Then the catch: The 300 euros are taxable. It also means that high-tax workers end up with less. Only those who remain below the basic tax allowance will receive the full amount.
The next catch: When will the 300 euros of the energy price flat rate come? According to WDR, some parts of the relief package first have to go through the Bundestag and Council. Therefore, the law could ultimately only be passed in May. The WDR reports, citing coalition circles, that a start can be expected on June 1, 2022 at the earliest.
Relief package: 300 euros energy price flat rate – who gets the money?
And the third catch: Not everyone will benefit from the energy price flat rate of 300 euros. According to the current status, pensioners are excluded. There has already been criticism for this. The President of the Social Association of Germany, for example, spoke of “gross injustice” to the image. But retirees aren’t the only ones likely to be left out.
According to the report, mini-jobbers are also currently falling through the cracks because they are not included in tax brackets 1 to 5. Likewise, trainees will not receive any remuneration and students will not receive a one-off payment. Bafög recipients and trainees are entitled to the one-off heating cost allowance of 230 euros. It is currently still completely unclear whether the unemployed, i.e. recipients of unemployment benefit I, will be entitled. (rjs)
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