Working Life > Working Conditions > Mobility > Commuting between Residence and Work

Commuting between Residence and Work

Definition, Explanation

As the increasing traffic volume of cars, buses, trains and airplanes suggests, many of the working people have a way to work as long as to be called a commuting between their places of residence and workplaces. Commuters are defined as people who cross township boarders on their way to work. Most of them still prefer going by car. As reasons for the necessary commuting they state:

• Forced mobility
  The job cannot be found at the place of residence, career demands changes of workplaces
• Places of residence being outside the city and urban areas, for lower rental costs

Different groups of commuters can be distinguished – according to frequency of commuting (every day/ every week) and according to distances (near- and far-commuters). Near-commuters are those with up to 20 km to go.

In Germany, for one's travelling to work, one can set off against tax a fixed sum per kilometer travelled, as income related expenses, no matter what your real costs are or what your actual way to get there is (Pendlerpauschale). There is a maximum of 4,500 Euros per year.

Tips, Checklist

• Make up carpools using a carpooling center (“Mitfahrzentrale”). The maximum allowed against tax is 4,500 Euros per year. This limit remains as high even if you are not the one driving
• Ask your boss for fuel coupons or job-tickets. Employers can taxlessly take over 44 Euros per month and per employee
• Collect the bills and maintain logbooks
• Use the free time on trains reading
• Take breaks when driving your car to reduce tiredness and stress
• If your workplace is far away, think about the possibility of having a second residence which is also allowed against tax as a double household, as long as occupational reasons are given and your old residence is still your primary residence. Primary residence is the one where your centre of vital interests is
• Claim distance money
• Have the commuting money recorded on your income tax card

Articles

• Recession Marriage Trend: Living Apart; ABC News, July 9, 2009

Last update: 06/07/2010