Remanding flat rate: Millions of commuters benefit despite criticism!

Remanding flat rate: Millions of commuters benefit despite criticism!

Gotha, Deutschland - The discussion about the distance flat rate remains exciting and polarizes the opinions. Although the tax relief instrument is considered in many places as environmentally harmful and as a hedge -up for the turn of the traffic, the reality shows a different side. According to Gotha Aktuit, millions of workers benefit from this flat rate in their tax return every year. Critics, including numerous environmental associations, fear that the flat rate for increased use of cars will be endangered and thus endangered the turn of traffic. For Uwe Rauhöft, an expert from United Lay Tax Aid e. V. (VLH), however, this reasoning has remained guilty of scientific evidence.

In 2020, around 13.8 million workers used the distance flat rate. The average pendulum route was 28 kilometers. The Federal Statistical Office states that 84% of these commuters used their own car for part of their route. The flat rate is billed regardless of the chosen means of transport and applies to each route to the first place of work. The taxpayer can claim 30 cents per kilometer for the first 20 kilometers and 38 cents from the 21st kilometer. As an example: With 220 working days and a distance of 20 kilometers, this results in a commuter flat rate of 1,320 euros.

• With a distance of 45 kilometers, the flat rate even adds to 3,410 euros.
• The flat rate for advertising costs is currently 1,230 euros, since 2023.
• public transport can also be asserted, but there is a cap of 4,500 euros.

Over the years, it has turned out that the use of the flat rate is very different. In large cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants, 68% of commuters used the car, while it was 93% in rural areas. These regional differences are particularly due to the infrastructure and the availability of public transport.

conclusion: a controversial but proven instrument

Despite the ecological concerns, the distance flat rate remains a proven instrument for financial relief for commuters. The regular discussion about a possible increase in this flat rate shows that the topic is still important, not only for commuters, but also for political decision -makers. The VLH also emphasizes that the elimination of this flat rate would only insufficiently solve the commuter problem. Every year, millions of professional commuters benefit from this flat rate, and to a certain extent, it represents not inconsiderable financial support for many.