Companies whose existence was threatened by the corona pandemic received quick and unbureaucratic financial aid. But they were linked to a final settlement. Now the calculation is being carried out again.
Almost every fourth company that received government aid during the Corona crisis has to pay back part of it. This emerges from a preliminary balance sheet from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, which is available to the German Press Agency. This is based on samples of the 338,000 applications submitted so far for the final bill. However, around 40 percent of companies also receive additional payments from the federal government.
The Corona bridging aid was paid out unbureaucratically to companies whose existence was threatened and with a large decline in sales. However, this payment was linked to a final bill – the actual decline in sales and eligible fixed costs were compared with the forecast. Refunds may arise, for example, if the actual decline in sales was less than expected when the application was submitted.
According to figures from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, around 13.1 billion euros in emergency aid and 63.3 billion euros were paid out for programs such as November, December and restart aid.
The deadline for the final accounts was October 31st. However, this can be extended unbureaucratically until January 31st and, upon request, until March 31st at the latest, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said. The numbers are therefore only an interim balance. The ministry also emphasized that no company should be financially overwhelmed by rigid repayment periods.
Source: Stern
