For the first time in a long time, the leaders of the CDU, CSU and Social Democrats met again in person in the Chancellery in Berlin. Despite the original differences, the talks were more harmonious than expected. We all pulled together. The coalition committee decided to further cushion hardships for families in view of the corona lockdown, as in the previous year, to grant a child bonus. The surcharge on child benefit should be a one-time fee of 150 euros, as was announced after the four and a half hour consultation. This bonus should be offset against the tax-free child allowance, but not offset against the basic security.
For families with children – here a mother doing “homeschooling” – the corona lockdown is anything but easy
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Adult recipients of basic security should now also receive a one-time corona grant of 150 euros. For the self-employed and employees with low incomes who suddenly find themselves in need, the easier access to the basic security will be extended until the end of 2021.
The grand coalition is also helping companies with corona-related losses. The current decrease in tax losses will be increased to a maximum of ten million euros for 2020 and 2021, or to 20 million euros if they are jointly assessed. According to the coalition, this should create the “liquidity necessary in the crisis”. The loss carryforward enables companies to offset losses from 2020 and 2021 against profits from 2019 in their tax returns. You would then have to pay less tax.
The sausage snack bar near the Reichstag in Berlin Mitte is also closed
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The CDU / CSU and SPD want to help again the particularly hard hit by the lockdown. For example, food in restaurants and cafés that are only allowed to offer out-of-home deliveries will continue to be subject to a reduced VAT rate of seven percent until the end of 2022. Originally, the regulation was limited to the end of June.
The cultural workers also receive support. According to the coalition’s decision, a follow-up program for the rescue and future program “Neustart Kultur” will be launched with a further one billion euros.
The two SPD chairmen Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans put the aid package at a total of at least seven and a half billion euros. They were very satisfied with the results. “The coalition is able to act until the end,” said CDU / CSU parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus after the deliberations. CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt made a similar statement.
se / wa (dpa, rtr, afp)
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