Christian Lindner scents the class war again. It is “left framing” when talking about company car privileges. The Greens, in particular, are known to have difficulties with company car taxation, the criticism is varied and ranges from money to fairness to environmental compatibility. Lindner may not see any privilege in the fact that the pecuniary advantage of being able to use a car provided by the employer privately is taxed. But one can have doubts about the lump-sum taxation in its current form.
It is true that there is no class struggle among the users of company cars. But there is a kind of class society. There are those who actually use their company-provided Polos, Corsas, Fiestas or Octavias (or even a class or two higher) for work. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but regularly. Who drive to customers every day, make deliveries, have longer business trips. The car is a resource. The advantage of private use is a side effect, no less, but the main purpose is the job.
The situation is a little different when the company car is more of a means of privilege higher up in the company hierarchy. The company car is only used a little for business. Drive to the reserved bay in the company car park, drive back home, that’s often it. In many cases, the expensive company cars are nothing more than a salary component. With them, good incomes are improved. Fuel card included.
In order not to be considered a preacher of envy: That’s okay. For all beneficiaries, the company car is cheaper than their own car, despite the monthly tax at one percent of the list price, otherwise nobody would get involved. It is also obviously the better solution for companies from an economic point of view. The vehicle industry benefits immensely from this, after all, almost 800,000 new company cars are registered every year.
But does this really need to be subsidized by the taxpayer community? In fact, that is exactly what is happening. Last but not least, the entire company car business is based on the very favorable flat-rate taxation. It’s a huge support campaign. Recently, Lindner has not only pondered class struggles, but also likes to talk about justice and the burden of the broad middle class. Well then: This form of justice would be established for company cars if the cars, which are used less for service than for betterment, were taxed a little higher.
You could simply increase the percentage with the list price. One percent for the small VW, two percent for the expensive Benz, for example. Let’s leave out the Porsche for now.
