House builders in Giessen can rejoice: Stadtwerke Giessen AG (SWG) is refunding part of the VAT amount to new build customers who received a water house connection from SWG between 2000 and 2008. Manfred Siekmann, CEO of SWG: "We are taking action on behalf of our customers and refunding the difference, although we are not legally obliged to do so. We will be writing to the customers concerned in the next few days."
Background
In accordance with a directive from the Federal Ministry of Finance, water house connections throughout Germany had been billed at the regular VAT rate (16% or 19% from 2007) since summer 2000. In October 2008, however, the Federal Fiscal Court (BFH) ruled that the reduced tax rate (currently 7%) should be applied to water house connections. SWG has been implementing the judgement of the BFH since the beginning of 2009 and applies the reduced tax rate to new water house connections.
What do affected customers have to do?
Manfred Siekmann: "We want to make it easy for our customers to get a refund. To this end, we will be writing to all affected water house connection customers personally over the next few days. This means that customers do not have to contact us separately. Anyone who would still like to do so can find a corresponding form on our website at "www.stadtwerke-giessen.de." This form is particularly intended for customers who no longer live in the SWG supply area, so that the company may no longer be able to determine their current address. Manfred Siekmann also asked for understanding that, due to the large number of cases, there may be a certain waiting time before the amount is paid out.
30.06.2009