The plastic bag is working, the “Fair Consumer Contracts Act” is coming: In the new year, all sorts of new laws and regulations come into force. We have compiled the most important new features for you.
All about love money
The income limit for all tax rates is rising by 1.17 percent. The basic allowance will also be increased by a whopping 240 euros — income tax is then only due from an annual income of 9,984 euros or from 19,968 euros for couples. And something else could be interesting for your tax return in the coming year: retirement expenses (such as statutory pension insurance, Rürup pension, disability or accident insurance) can be better deducted from 2022. Single people can deduct up to 24,101 euros, couples up to 48,202 euros.
The child allowance, a benefit in addition to child benefit for low-income families, is only slightly increased — the amount rises from 205 to 209 euros. There may still be financial relief for single parents in 2022: The “Düsseldorf table”, the guideline for calculating adequate child support, has been renewed. In addition to slightly higher rates, the table was expanded to include income levels up to a monthly net income of 11,000 euros (instead of 5,500 euros so far).
This is changing for consumers
Relief for consumers: With the “Fair Consumer Contracts Act”, retailers must agree on a notice period of one month in contracts that are concluded from March 1, 2022. This means, for example, that no “gag contracts” can be concluded for telephone providers, streaming services or even gyms, in which contracts are automatically extended by one year after a notice period has elapsed. On websites, the option to cancel must also be made simpler and more customer-friendly.
Defective products can be returned or exchanged for up to 12 months when purchased from January — this doubles the take-back obligation for retailers.
The tobacco tax will be increased by an average of ten cents (for a pack of 20 cigarettes). From July 1, 2022, the substances for e-cigarettes will also be subject to tobacco taxation — even if they contain no tobacco and regardless of whether they contain nicotine or not. According to estimates by the consumer center NRW, 10 ml of e-cigarette liquid will then cost 6.60 euros instead of the previous 5 euros. Tobacco for hookahs is also treated as filter cigarettes for tax purposes.
In the new year, the lights will finally go out for the classic plastic bag. Only plastic bags with a wall thickness of less than 15 micrometers are then allowed — the classic fruit bag.
Innovations in traffic
As a result of the increase in the CO2 price, further price increases for gasoline, heating oil, diesel and natural gas are expected. But if you don't want to grumble about every visit to the gas station anymore, switching to an electric vehicle might be worthwhile for you: From January 1, providers of charging stations will have to make their payment systems more customer-friendly. In addition to cash payments, the devices must now accept debit and credit cards.
Newly issued driving licenses are only valid for 15 years from 2022. This also means that older driving licenses must be replaced in stages, otherwise a warning fee of 10 euros will be required. Those born between 1953 and 1958 have until January 19 to apply for their new driving license. The years from 1959 to 1964 are then on. You can apply for a new driver's license from your city administration or district office.
Digitalization for your health
Now it's worth downloading the app “The e-recipe” to your smartphone — because it will replace the pink paper recipes from January 1. For patients without a smartphone, the QR code for the prescription can be printed out in practice.
And the certificate of incapacity for work is also being digital: From July 1, the “eAU” will be sent directly to the employer or health insurance company by doctors and health insurance companies.
