COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) – For the third time in ten years, the contribution service of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio is making a large comparison of the registration data of all adults in Germany. The aim is “to clarify which apartments have not yet paid a broadcasting fee,” said the facility in Cologne on Wednesday. Selected data from the residents’ registration offices are compared with the inventory data. The comparison of registration data is regulated by law and is taking place for the third time after 2013 and 2018.
At the beginning of November, the contribution service again receives selected data from the residents’ registration offices on all adult citizens. From January 10, 2023, the contribution service will then successively write to everyone who cannot be assigned an apartment that has been registered for the broadcasting contribution and ask for feedback.
The contribution service advised: “Those addressed should react promptly to the clarification letter and provide the contribution service with the necessary information about their own apartment. The quickest way to get back is online.” Alternatively, the attached reply form can be completed and returned.
If the addressee reports back that a contribution has already been paid for the apartment and communicates the corresponding contribution number, their data will be deleted immediately. If you receive feedback that no contribution has been paid yet, you will be registered. “If the people who are written to don’t respond to the letter, the contribution service automatically registers them, as it must be assumed that the broadcasting license fee has to be paid for their apartment.”
According to its own definition, the contribution service is a “non-incorporated administrative community of ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio”. It emerged in 2013 from the fee collection center of the public broadcasters (GEZ), which was responsible for collecting the broadcasting fee until the end of 2012./bok/DP/ngu