In view of the rising energy costs and a corona wave threatening from autumn, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is pushing for a significant increase in tax aid for employees working from home. “The DGB demands that the home office flat rate be continued and raised to 1,500 euros,” said union board member Anja Piel of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”.
So far, employees could claim a maximum of 600 euros a year at five euros a day in their tax return. At the same time, the DGB board member warned companies against passing on heating costs to employees working from home without compensation.
“Using the home office to shift the costs of work – including heating the workplace – to the employees is a no-go,” said Piel. “Anyone who really wants to save energy can exploit the potential of energetic renovation for workplaces and make adjustments to the organization of work”.
Since working from home will not disappear again in the future, regardless of crises, there must be a balance of costs anyway, she explained. Increasing the flat rate is the best way here. “That would be a contribution to more tax justice.”