Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) spoke out in favor of a permanent sales tax reduction in the catering industry. In a letter to the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga), Lindner justified this with the continuing difficult economic situation in the industry due to the corona pandemic. The letter is available at the German Press Agency. The online medium “Tagskarte” had previously reported.
So far, the reduced tax rate of 7 percent instead of 19 percent for food in restaurants has been applied until the end of 2022. “Due to the economic situation of restaurant companies as a result of the Covid pandemic 19, I think it is appropriate that the reduced sales tax rate for restaurant and catering services can also apply indefinitely after this date,” Lindner writes. Therefore, he will work within the federal government during the mandate. However, the reduced tax rate should not be extended to beverages.
In the federal election campaign, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) had already spoken out in favor of a permanently reduced value-added tax on gastronomy.
jg/dpa