Legal changes Here’s what’s changing for consumers in May
BERLIN · Nobody has to rush their tax returns this May: new deadlines apply. Phoning friends in other EU countries will also become cheaper and there will be changes in your wallet.
Some legislative changes in May are about money – taxes, new banknotes and telephone charges - but they are also about poor air in cities and possible driving bans. Here’s an overview of the reforms for consumers.
Tax return: Up to now, many spent May rummaging through bills, receipts and tax forms: the tax return had to be submitted by the end of the month. Starting this year, taxpayers have two months longer. The deadline for submitting the tax return is now 31 July. Those who have a tax advisor to help them have even more time: until the end of February 2020. Those who submit too late must expect additional charges of at least Euro 25 per month or part month. There is no longer any extension of the deadline as there was previously.
Bank notes: new euro banknotes will be issued on 28 May. After the redesigned five, ten, twenty and fifty euro notes, there will now be new 100 and 200 euro notes. The new banknotes have special security features. For example, if you tilt the note then the colour of the printed number changes. The largest note, the 500 euro note, will no longer be printed. However, those who still have some under their pillow need not worry – they remain legal tender and should be exchangeable for an unlimited period.
Climate protection: According to the federal government, the amended Federal Emissions Control Act comes into force in May. It is intended to avoid diesel driving bans in cities as far as possible. The new regulations generally classify driving bans as disproportionate if the nitrogen oxide in the air only slightly exceeds permissible levels. New Euro 6 diesel vehicles will also be exempted as will refitted buses, refuse trucks and fire trucks as well as refitted workman’s and delivery vehicles.
Phone calls to other EU countries: From 15 May, charges for telephone calls and SMS from your home country to other EU countries will be capped. A maximum of 19 cents per minute will be charged, regardless of whether the call is to a landline or a mobile phone. An SMS will cost a maximum of 6 cents. According to the European Consumers’ Association, charges of up to Euro 1.99 per minute were recently incurred in Germany for calls abroad from a mobile phone. Charges for calls from foreign EU networks to home countries, for example for calls from holidays to home, were already abolished in the summer of 2017.
(Original text: dpa. Translation: kc)
