Dunning fees could make broadcasting fees more expensive for some consumers. Those affected are those who do not pay the contribution service on time. How you can still avoid the high sums, read here.
Since August 2021, consumers have been paying 18.36 euros per month in broadcasting fees.
The sum is due either every three months (EUR 55.08), quarterly (EUR 110.16), semi-annually (EUR 110.16) or one year (EUR 220.32) in advance. The majority of Germans opt for payment every third month.
While many people have the amount automatically debited via bank transfer, there are contributors who still pay on account. But that can get expensive from now on.
So far, the authority has always sent a payment reminder if consumers failed to transfer the payment on time. They had four weeks to do this. But that is no longer the case.
That changes with the broadcasting fee
From now on, contributors will only receive the reminder once a year. Anyone who does not pay then must expect penalty interest and reminder fees. Instead of the friendly payment reminder, there is now a notice of assessment by post.
In the case of the contribution service, there is talk of a “surcharge for late payment”. This is one percent of the contribution debt. But at least eight euros. The 55.08 euros then quickly become 63.08 euros. Anyone who continues to fail to pay will receive reminders and a new notice of assessment, which is then associated with additional costs.
“Anyone who doesn’t want to run the risk of forgetting to pay the broadcasting license fee and being additionally burdened financially as a result should give the subscription service a SEPA mandate,” says Laura Ladwig, legal adviser at the Berlin Consumer Advice Center.
What do I have to pay attention to from now on?
Our editorial team advises: change the debit using the online forms that you can find on the contribution service page.
You usually need your contribution number. You can find this either on the registration form, in the request for payment or in the notice of assessment. You can then use this online tool to conveniently have the amount debited from your bank account every three months.
Be sure to check if you might be exempted from broadcasting fees.
As a rule, contributors do not have to pay broadcasting fees if they receive social benefits. These include recipients of unemployment benefit II, social benefit, basic security, blind assistance, care allowance, care allowances, training allowance or vocational training allowance. You can find a list here. Disabled people usually get a discount.
The article also appeared on Focus Online.