By Sabine Klier
A financial blackout has frozen the life of Simon S. (41). Without any warning, the tax office blocked his three accounts – now he can no longer get his money.
Since then, the Kreuzberger lives on bread and packet soup. “I lost six kilos,” he says contritely.
The account drama began four weeks ago:
He found out about the blocking due to garnishment from his banks via a push message. “My tax advisor had exceeded the deadline for my tax return,” explains the freelance lecturer for innovation and sustainability, who also runs a website.
According to his tax advisor, he should even get money back. But because of the missing tax return, the tax office estimates a payment of 12,000 euros. “I immediately instructed the banks to transfer the full amount, because more than a week without access to an account is very, very crass,” says Simon S.
But nothing happens.
Simon S. calls and emails every day, but nobody can help him.
“There is a technical problem, which is why you couldn’t see the incoming payment at the tax office,” an employee explained to me. But it should only take two days,” the lecturer describes the conversation with the office.
He sends the transfer receipts to the tax office. “I pointed out by phone and email that I had nothing to eat,” said the 41-year-old. But the tax office remains firm. “The employee just said it wasn’t his fault.” He didn’t want to call the bank either. Call of duty.
“I kept every bit of food for a long time because I never knew when someone would be able to lend me money again,” says Simon S. “There is enough money in my accounts to make a living, but I just can’t get to it. “
In the meantime, reminders have been pouring in because nothing can be debited from his accounts. How does this traffic jam at the tax office come about?
The Berliner has lived on bread and packet soup since his accounts were frozen
Photo: Stephanie von Becker
Frederik Bombosch, spokesman for the Senate Department for Finance, on the BZ: “Inpayments are usually booked automatically. In special cases – especially in the case of incomplete information, but also if there is a seizure, they are processed manually.”
At the end of the 46th calendar week (November 14th to November 18th, 2022), several thousand cases had accumulated that required such manual processing for various reasons. Bombosch continues: “Due to the payment date for the fourth quarter of the property tax, around 15.11. about six times as many deposits as usual every day. Technical problems delayed the personnel processing. The financial authorities are working flat out to clear the backlog.”
That doesn’t help Simon S. He is desperate: “I just want my life back!”
