Being non-profit can pay off: Volunteers have these financial advantages

Volunteer in Germany

Anyone who does voluntary work in Germany does something voluntarily and without remuneration for a non-profit organization or an organization geared towards the common good, as the organization Ehrenamt-Deutschland explains. Voluntary work can involve tasks from a wide variety of areas. According to the organization, more than 30 million people in Germany are volunteers. But even if the volunteer work is carried out free of charge, there are still some financial advantages that volunteers receive and which represent an expense allowance. Accordingly, one can, for example, have all amounts paid out in the course of voluntary work tax-free with the reimbursement of expenses.

volunteer fee

People who do voluntary work in Germany have the opportunity to receive up to 840 euros a year tax-free as an expense allowance thanks to the voluntary service flat rate. If more is earned, the amount in excess of 840 euros is taxed, explains the Baden-Württemberg service portal. The prerequisite for receiving the honorary service flat rate is that you work in an activity that is favored (e.g. board member, office worker, cleaner, referee in the amateur sector) or on behalf of a legal entity under public law or a tax-privileged association.

Instructor Flat Rate

If the voluntary work involves activities as a trainer, trainer, educator, supervisor or a comparable part-time activity, artistic activities or the care of old, sick or disabled people, you can claim the flat rate for trainers. This is tax-free like the honorary service flat rate. However, the amount that can be taken here annually is 3,000 euros per year. If you hold two different offices, which each match the volunteer flat rate and the trainer flat rate, you can even claim both tax exemptions.

E. Schmal / Editor finanzen.net

Image sources: prasit2512 / Shutterstock.com

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