FREIE WÄHLER Calls for Tax Reform to Ease Burden on German Volunteer Fire Departments
Volunteers in fire departments across Germany are expressing their frustration with the current tax regulations, leading to calls for reform from FREIE WÄHLER party. The party's federal chairman and Bavarian Minister of Economics, Hubert Aiwanger, has criticised the tax situation affecting fire departments and other associations, suggesting changes to provide relief.
Aiwanger proposes raising the VAT threshold for associations to 50,000 euros in sales over two consecutive years. He argues that politics should focus on relieving existing volunteer services instead of introducing new social services. Fire departments celebrating anniversaries often face unexpected tax liabilities and VAT registration due to higher income in that year. Currently, there is no specific ministry in the federal government dedicated to the taxes of volunteer organisations, with the topic falling under several ministries, including the Bundesministerium der Finanzen and the Bundesinnenministerium. FREIE WÄHLER demand a general tax exemption for fire departments and other worthy associations to ease the burden on volunteers.
Historically, there have been various tax relief measures for volunteer organisations, such as tax exemption for honorary allowances and simplified bookkeeping. However, Aiwanger believes these measures are not enough and calls for more significant changes.
FREIE WÄHLER's proposals aim to reduce the administrative burden and financial strain on volunteer fire departments and other associations. With no dedicated ministry for the taxes of volunteer organisations, the party calls for a general tax exemption to recognise and support the valuable work of volunteers.
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