Heating in Potsdam could become more expensive: planned VAT increase on gas ensures higher costs from 2024.

Berlin. The reason for this is the planned increase in VAT for gas to its original level of 19 percent. Current citizens currently only pay seven percent. Actually, the reduced tax rate should not be increased until the end of March 2024. The Federal Government already provides for this for January 1, 2024.

According to Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), gas prices have developed more cheaply than expected, which is why the normal tax rate is already "responsible," he says. Electricity and gas price brakes, on the other hand, are to be extended by the end of April 2024. With the planned increase in VAT, however, their effect could fizzle out.

Gas price brake does not apply-the heating

The reason for this are the currently favorable gas prices of numerous providers. These are per kilowatt hour (kWh) below the price from which the gas price brake applies. The state only covers the costs that are generated above 12 cents per kWh. If your own tariff is below, you will pay the higher gas prices yourself in the event of an increase in VAT.

If the federal government decides to raise, if this would happen in many places: an average annual consumption of 20,000 kWh would pay around 18 euros more for gas if the VAT should be raised. The annual costs would increase from 2,497 euros to 2,516 euros. The comparison portal Verivox calculated this.

Ministry of Economic Affairs considers an increase in problematic

In Brandenburg, too, concern about higher costs for consumers is justified: "Our tariff is lower than the price that the gas price brake would cover," says René Otto from the Prenzlau Stadtwerke. Specifically, according to Otto, an increase in VAT would mean a price increase of 0.95 cents/kWh from 8.51 cents/kWh to 9.46 cents/kWh for citizens in Prenzlau.

The Energie Mark Brandenburg (EMB) is also under the threshold with its prices. "An increase in VAT nationwide would lead to a burden, especially in the heating season," said Managing Director Jens Horn.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs Brandenburg is similar: The planned VAT survey "appears rather problematic in the middle of the heating season," says Irene Beringer, press spokeswoman for the ministry. An increase to 19 percent would lead to increased energy costs for consumers. For many Brandenburgers, the gas price brake would not be financial support due to the cheap tariffs, Beringer confirms.

Increased increase one month before

The increase in VAT has not yet been decided. If the Bundestag changes the corresponding law, the energy providers must inform their customers in good time. If the prices are adjusted, this will be communicated to consumers the one month before, says René Otto from the Prenzlau Stadtwerke. Possible price changes for basic services must even be announced six weeks in advance.

MAZ