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Who gets the trade tax? Werder or Schwielowsee in a dispute!
Werder Feinkost is moving its location to Ferch-Kammerode, which raises questions about trade tax between Werder and Schwielowsee.
Who gets the trade tax? Werder or Schwielowsee in a dispute!
In the tranquil town of Werder (Havel), the fate of Werder Feinkost's trade tax is currently being discussed. The food manufacturer is moving to the Ferch-Kammerode industrial area, which belongs to the municipality of Schwielowsee. But where will trade tax be paid in the future? This question is causing quite a stir, as maz-online.de reports.
Werder Feinkost has moved into its new premises at Petzower Straße 8, but its postal address remains in Werder. The company generates an annual turnover of around 35 million euros and it could prove lucrative where trade tax ultimately belongs. Professor Carsten Meinert makes it clear that the trade tax goes to the municipality in which the business premises are located - i.e. Schwielowsee.
A street theme with weight
Petzower Straße, located in the Werder area, must now be maintained by the Werder administration, even if the city does not benefit from trade tax. Around 20 trucks drive to Werder Feinkost on the road every day. This leads to tensions between the two municipalities, but the administrations do not comment on specific agreements regarding the distribution of the tax. Christian Große, Werder's first councilor, is keeping a low profile on this matter.
The mayor of Schwielowsee, Kerstin Hoppe, sees the settlement of Werder Feinkost in the Ferch industrial area as positive and emphasizes the company's historical connection to Werder (Havel). This also brings into play the importance of the company for local identity. After all, everyone here knows: Where there is good taste, you can't just look away!
The trade tax: an important moneymaker
For municipalities in particular, trade tax is an important source of income that is generated from company profits. According to information from finanzkun.de, the trade tax measurement amount is set at 3.5% of trade income and is calculated according to the municipal assessment rate. The assessment rate varies considerably between municipalities and can have a significant impact on the profitability of companies. The assessment rate in Werder is currently 300%.
Although there are allowances for smaller companies, larger companies such as Werder Feinkost pay a significant amount. This revenue is critical to funding public services, which is the way many communities improve and maintain their infrastructure. The different handling between Werder and Schwielowsee could also become a challenge in the long term, both for companies and for citizens.
It remains to be seen whether and how an agreement on trade tax will be reached. There is a lot in the detail that could directly affect municipalities through, among other things, the mobility of trucks and the maintenance of roads. One thing is clear, however: Werder Feinkost's connection to the city of Werder (Havel) remains strong, and the company will continue to be an important part of the region.