Employee savings bonus: electronic notification only, no more Form VL

In order to apply for the employee savings bonus for capital-forming benefits as part of your tax return, the investment institution, such as the building society, issues a certificate to the investor annually. This certificate (Anlage VL) used to be attached to the tax return. However, the main tax return form 2024 now includes the following new query in line 42 to apply for the employee savings bonus: "The employee savings bonus is applied for all electronically submitted capital formation certificates from the provider." What does this mean?

• As early as 26 June 2013, the "Amtshilferichtlinie-Umsetzungsgesetz" stipulated that the employee savings bonus should no longer be applied for using the "Anlage VL" in paper form, but that an electronic capital formation certificate should be introduced (§ 13 para. 1 of the 5th VermBG). The Federal Ministry of Finance was to announce separately when the new regulation would first apply (§ 17 para. 14 of the 5th VermBG).
• In December 2016, the Federal Ministry of Finance announced that the electronic capital formation certificate procedure was to be used for the first time for capital-forming benefits invested from 1 January 2017. Therefore, the data was to be transmitted electronically to the tax authorities by 28 February 2018. At the same time, it was pointed out that the "Anlage VL" in paper form would no longer be issued in future (BMF letter dated 16 December 2016, BStBl. 2016 I p. 1435).

The previous paper certificate for capital-forming benefits (Anlage VL) was replaced for the first time in 2017 by an electronic capital formation certificate sent directly by the provider to the tax authorities. The tax authorities no longer provide a template for the Anlage VL, and providers no longer send paper certificates.

All that is required is your consent to the data transfer. You now apply for the employee savings bonus by entering a "1" in line 42 of the main tax form.

Employee savings bonus: electronic notification only, no more Form VL

What are employee savings schemes (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen) and who is eligible for them?

Almost every employee and trainee (including judges, civil servants, soldiers) is entitled to employee savings schemes (vermögenswirksame Leistungen - vwL) from their employer. The entitlement is regulated in collective agreements, and some employers pay voluntarily. The amount varies by industry, from approximately 6 to a maximum of 40 Euro per month. Part-time employees receive vwL on a pro-rata basis, while pensioners and self-employed individuals are not entitled.

To receive vwL, the employee must take out a savings contract eligible for vwL and present it to the employer. The employer transfers the monthly vwL directly into the savings contract. There are various investment options, including bank savings plans, building society savings contracts, company pension schemes, investment funds, or life insurance. vwL can also be used to repay a building loan.

Government support through employee savings bonus

Building society savings contracts and investment funds are particularly attractive as they are subsidised with the employee savings bonus. The bonus is income-dependent:

Until 31.12.2023: Income limit for investment funds 20.000 Euro (married couples 40.000 Euro), for building society savings 17.900 Euro (married couples 35.800 Euro).

From 1.1.2024: Uniform income limit for both options of 40.000 Euro (married couples 80.000 Euro) according to the Future Financing Act (§ 13 para. 1 of the 5th VermBG). The new regulation applies to vwL invested from 1.1.2024 (§ 17 para. 17 of the 5th VermBG).

Increasing savings contributions

Some vwL savings contracts have minimum savings contributions. If the employer pays no or too little, the employee can convert part of their salary to reach the minimum rate. Increasing the savings amount is often worthwhile to receive the full government subsidy.

What are employee savings schemes (Vermögenswirksame Leistungen) and who is eligible for them?

When will I receive the employee bonus?

The employee savings bonus is paid by the government on capital-forming benefits (vwL) that you receive from your employer and invest in certain financial products. However, it does not apply to all investment forms, only to investment funds and building society savings contracts.

Eligible investment forms:

• Investment fund savings plan: An income limit of 40.000 Euro (married couples: 80.000 Euro) applies from 1 January 2024.
• Building society savings contract: An income limit of 40.000 Euro (married couples: 80.000 Euro) also applies from 1 January 2024.

These income limits refer to taxable income – i.e. income after deduction of allowances, special expenses, work-related expenses, and child allowances.

Current: As of 1 January 2024, the income limits for both investment forms have been raised by the "Future Financing Act" (§ 13 para. 1 of the 5th VermBG). The new regulation applies to vwL invested from 1 January 2024.

Additional support for building society savings: In addition to the employee savings bonus, there is also the housing bonus, which is granted for taxable income of up to 35.000 Euro (married couples: 70.000 Euro).

When will I receive the employee bonus?

What is the level of funding through employee savings bonuses and government allowances?

You receive the employee savings bonus if your taxable income does not exceed certain limits. Since 1 January 2024, the following income limits apply uniformly for share-based savings (e.g. investment funds) and building savings (§ 13 para. 1 of the 5th Capital Formation Act, Future Financing Act):

• 40.000 Euro for single persons
• 80.000 Euro for married couples.

Amount of the employee savings bonus:

• Share-based savings: 20% of the annual savings, up to a maximum amount of 400 Euro. This results in up to 80 Euro of funding per year, i.e. 480 Euro over six years.
• Building savings: 9% on up to 470 Euro savings per year, resulting in 43 Euro of government funding. Over six years, this amounts to 258 Euro.

Additional housing bonus: Savers with a taxable income under 35.000 Euro (single) or 70.000 Euro (married) receive the housing bonus in addition to the employee savings bonus:

• 10% funding on savings of up to 700 Euro (single) or 1.400 Euro (married) per year.
• This corresponds to a maximum funding of 70 Euro or 140 Euro per year.

Further government funding:

• Riester funding: For certified building savings contracts.
• Repayment of a building loan: Capital-forming benefits can also be used to repay a building loan, and the entitlement to the employee savings bonus remains.

Note: In addition to government funding, there is also the return on the respective savings product. It is worth comparing providers.

What is the level of funding through employee savings bonuses and government allowances?

What must I do to receive the employee savings bonus?

Anyone wishing to receive the employee savings bonus must apply for it annually in their tax return. The employee savings bonus is determined together with income tax in the tax assessment notice (income tax notice).

The former paper certificate for capital-forming benefits (form VL) has since 2017 been replaced by an electronic capital formation certificate sent directly by the provider to the tax authorities. The "form VL" in paper form is no longer issued (BMF letter dated 16.12.2016).

The employee must consent to the electronic capital formation certificate and provide their tax identification number to the provider.

What must I do to receive the employee savings bonus?

How can I invest employee savings schemes if I do not receive the employee savings bonus?

For investment funds and building society contracts, the employee savings bonus is available if the taxable income does not exceed certain limits. Until 2023, these are:

• 20.000 Euro (single) for share-based saving
• 17.900 Euro (single) for building society saving

Current: From 1 January 2024, the income limit for both investment forms will be raised to 40.000 Euro (single) or 80.000 Euro (married) (§ 13 para. 1 of the 5th Capital Formation Act).

Investment options without employee savings bonus

If you exceed the income limits and do not receive the employee savings bonus, you should still invest your capital-forming benefits (vwL) strategically. The key factors are return and security needs. The following investment options are available:

• Bank savings plans: These offer security, but the interest rates often depend on the current market situation, so returns can fluctuate.
• Building society contracts: A solid option, especially if you are planning to buy property in the long term, even without the savings bonus.
• Company pension scheme: This is paid out at retirement age but offers long-term security.
• Investment funds: For return-oriented savers. There is the possibility of increasing the invested capital depending on market developments.
• Repayment of a building loan: You can also use the vwL to repay a building loan more quickly and reduce interest costs.

Conclusion: Even without entitlement to the employee savings bonus, it is worthwhile to invest the vwL in high-return or secure investment forms, depending on your personal risk appetite and savings goal.

How can I invest employee savings schemes if I do not receive the employee savings bonus?

How do I obtain a certificate for employee savings schemes?

Under normal circumstances, you will automatically receive an employee savings bonus statement from your provider each year. This contains all the necessary details of your contract.

A "VL form" in paper form is no longer issued (BMF letter dated 16.12.2016). The employee must consent to the electronic employee savings bonus statement and provide their tax identification number.

How do I obtain a certificate for employee savings schemes?