Overview
- An ongoing model lawsuit at the Finance Court of Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania (case 1 K 67/26) challenges the rule that the per‑dwelling broadcasting fee is not tax‑deductible.
- The Bund der Steuerzahler backs the case and argues the charge counts toward a basic living minimum that policy already recognizes in other areas.
- If judges allow the €220.32 annual fee to reduce taxable income, savings would track a filer’s tax rate, such as roughly €66 a year at a 30% rate.
- Until any ruling, existing relief stays in place, including full exemptions for people on basic income support and a one‑third rate (€6.12 a month) for those with the RF disability mark.
- Wohngeld recipients have no automatic waiver and must use a hardship route that applies only when income exceeds the need by less than €18.36 a month, with decisions allowed to be backdated up to three years when eligibility is proven.