Comments on: Germany introduces Internet Tax http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/ A technology blog covering software, mobile phones, gadgets, security, the Internet and other relevant areas. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:08:06 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Prasar Bharatis Survival tax « Tech and Trek http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-159060 Prasar Bharatis Survival tax « Tech and Trek Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:37:41 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-159060 [...] Sweden and UK wherein a person owning a TV has to pay tax . Germany always one step ahead imposes Internet tax over and above the reg TV tax. Hey there is a whole wiki based on TV licensing.New BBC is a good [...] [...] Sweden and UK wherein a person owning a TV has to pay tax . Germany always one step ahead imposes Internet tax over and above the reg TV tax. Hey there is a whole wiki based on TV licensing.New BBC is a good [...]

]]> By: Andrew http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-103182 Andrew Mon, 26 Mar 2007 03:03:00 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-103182 personally, I think those danish rates are pretty high... we in the UK pay about 140€ a year for colour tv, which obviously covers radio inclusively. It's for the BBC which I consider to still be able to provide the UK and the rest of the world for that matter with some of the best programming around. Given that Channel 4 is state owned, while it also has advertising, they too may benefit slightly for the tv licence. The only continental news I have ever watched has been bloomberg, but found that format boring. I do know one important thing about the quality of BBC news; they pride themselves in having the most foreign correspondents permanently stationed around the globe. Considering the transfer from analog to digital, it is understandable that the licence rates here are rising to pay for this; lastly the increased interactivity is promising personally, I think those danish rates are pretty high… we in the UK pay about 140€ a year for colour tv, which obviously covers radio inclusively.
It’s for the BBC which I consider to still be able to provide the UK and the rest of the world for that matter with some of the best programming around. Given that Channel 4 is state owned, while it also has advertising, they too may benefit slightly for the tv licence.
The only continental news I have ever watched has been bloomberg, but found that format boring. I do know one important thing about the quality of BBC news; they pride themselves in having the most foreign correspondents permanently stationed around the globe.
Considering the transfer from analog to digital, it is understandable that the licence rates here are rising to pay for this; lastly the increased interactivity is promising

]]> By: freedom http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-99928 freedom Wed, 07 Mar 2007 22:14:08 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-99928 I came to know about this tax in Germany. This stupidity is not existing in so called 'developing naton', (they would go on strike). Germans should raise their voice, but suspect they will not. They are treated like bunch of sheeps by their idiot politicians and they like it? I came to know about this tax in Germany. This
stupidity is not existing in so called ‘developing
naton’, (they would go on strike).
Germans should raise their voice, but suspect
they will not. They are treated like bunch of
sheeps by their idiot politicians and they like it?

]]> By: Markus http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67791 Markus Mon, 23 Oct 2006 07:30:54 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67791 Hello Yakimo, I thought we´re unique with our GEZ :-) Seems, I´m wrong.. Hello Yakimo,

I thought we´re unique with our GEZ :-)
Seems, I´m wrong..

]]> By: Claudius http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67772 Claudius Sun, 22 Oct 2006 11:37:29 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67772 Hi there, im from germany as well, but i dont care much about this new fee. i heard this would only have to be payed if you dont have a tv or radio so far. greets from munich, u know where the okctoberfest is located Hi there,
im from germany as well, but i dont care much about this new fee. i heard this would only have to be payed if you dont have a tv or radio so far.

greets from munich, u know where the okctoberfest is located

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67771 Martin Sun, 22 Oct 2006 09:24:21 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67771 Hi there from Germany! To make it short. I love my country and the GEZ. Because I live in a Country wich gives me the best and INDEPENDENT(!) News on this Planet. For that it is fairly litle money and even though I have to pay 50€ more, I would! Hi there from Germany!

To make it short. I love my country and the GEZ.

Because I live in a Country wich gives me the best and INDEPENDENT(!) News on this Planet.

For that it is fairly litle money and even though I have to pay 50€ more, I would!

]]> By: yakimo http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67569 yakimo Sat, 21 Oct 2006 18:22:25 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67569 Hello from Denmark!
If you guys are wondering how it is in Denmark, I would say it is like in our neighbors. For now every household having TV/radio must pay license (per half year)

Color TV – 1 045 Danish kroner = 140.16 Euro
Black&White TV – 670 Danish kroner = 89.8 Euro
Radio – 160 Danish kroner = 21.4 Euro

From 1.Jan.2007 there is a decision to substitute the existing TV/radio license with so called “media license”, which in fact is the same, but including all other devices, that could receive kind of multi-media – computers (with internet or TV tuners), mobile phones and probably all existing and upcoming similar gadgets.

Nowadays the authorities have a database with all the tv-radio owners and if you are not in there database, there are two possibilities:
1) you are “black viewerâ€? – Once per while you get a mail from them, politely asking you to start paying. And of course they come at your home asking you whether you have forgotten to register you TV (thought the registration is automatic, if you buy a TV set from the shop. But you could buy it abroad ï?Š)
That’s how it is here, in Denmark
2) you don’t have TV/radio, but you have a computer. “We caught you (from 2007)�.
It’s good that there is an exemption for some groups people like blind people.

That’s how it is here, in Denmark

]]> By: Johny http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67465 Johny Sat, 21 Oct 2006 11:53:12 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67465 :( - I prey not every country starts doing this :( Johny :( – I prey not every country starts doing this :(

Johny

]]> By: Estridente http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67370 Estridente Sat, 21 Oct 2006 04:00:06 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67370 It doesn't have to do with the internet but in mexico we have a yearly tax for owning a car, doesn't matter if it's brand new or old as dirt, although the more recent the car the higher the tax will be, it was instituted so it would help fund the mexico olympics of 1968 after wich the tax would no longer be charged, however it's still mandatory to pay to this day... It doesn’t have to do with the internet but in mexico we have a yearly tax for owning a car, doesn’t matter if it’s brand new or old as dirt, although the more recent the car the higher the tax will be, it was instituted so it would help fund the mexico olympics of 1968 after wich the tax would no longer be charged, however it’s still mandatory to pay to this day…

]]> By: Das Parteiblog - voll parteiisch » Blog Archive » GEZ doch endlich weg http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67265 Das Parteiblog - voll parteiisch » Blog Archive » GEZ doch endlich weg Fri, 20 Oct 2006 17:26:32 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67265 [...] Sogar in amerikanischen Blogs ist die Posse um unsere Rundfunkgebühren schon angekommen, obwohl man sich dort sonst nicht so sehr für good old Germany interessiert. Publicity über den grossen Teich, so geht’s … [...] [...] Sogar in amerikanischen Blogs ist die Posse um unsere Rundfunkgebühren schon angekommen, obwohl man sich dort sonst nicht so sehr für good old Germany interessiert. Publicity über den grossen Teich, so geht’s … [...]

]]> By: Al Delacruz http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67253 Al Delacruz Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:53:15 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67253 I complain and bitch about our politicians and their sillyness, but damn i'm glad i don't have to deal with a TV/Internet tax. We just repealed an ancient telephone tax and will be receiving refunds. Hello from the US. :) I complain and bitch about our politicians and their sillyness, but damn i’m glad i don’t have to deal with a TV/Internet tax.
We just repealed an ancient telephone tax and will be receiving refunds.
Hello from the US. :)

]]> By: Martin http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67249 Martin Fri, 20 Oct 2006 16:26:11 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67249 OK, officially it is a fee that you have to pay under certain circumstances for the possibility to watch tv over the internet. Due to the poorness of the service it looks more like a general tax for everyone who owns a company or has is not already paying the fee as a private individual. (If you own a company you have to pay for tv at home and for tv at work seperately, if you have no tv at home you have to pay the fee if you have a computer with possible access to the internet, which means every pc basically.) OK, officially it is a fee that you have to pay under certain circumstances for the possibility to watch tv over the internet.

Due to the poorness of the service it looks more like a general tax for everyone who owns a company or has is not already paying the fee as a private individual. (If you own a company you have to pay for tv at home and for tv at work seperately, if you have no tv at home you have to pay the fee if you have a computer with possible access to the internet, which means every pc basically.)

]]> By: ENDB03 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67240 ENDB03 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 15:19:17 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67240 ich weiss auch das es keine steuer is markus...er hat es oben nur so beschrieben und ich bin der einfachheit eingestiegen- internetgeschädigt halt :D hes right its not a tax - yet not less anoying :) ich weiss auch das es keine steuer is markus…er hat es oben nur so beschrieben und ich bin der einfachheit eingestiegen- internetgeschädigt halt
:D

hes right its not a tax – yet not less anoying :)

]]> By: Markus http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67221 Markus Fri, 20 Oct 2006 13:09:54 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67221 @enb03: Don´t mix it all, please... The GEZ-Fee is NOT a tax. If you don´t have any tv or radio, you have to pay 5,53 Euro for PC or mobile Devices. The fine, if you´ve been captured by GEZ is much higher. It depends on how long you are the owner of the device. If you dont know this, GEZ says fast and simple "20 Years or longer". For this time you have ro pay. The fine could raise to 10.000 Euros and more. @enb03:

Don´t mix it all, please…

The GEZ-Fee is NOT a tax. If you don´t have any tv or radio, you have to pay 5,53 Euro for PC or mobile Devices.
The fine, if you´ve been captured by GEZ is much higher. It depends on how long you are the owner of the device. If you dont know this, GEZ says fast and simple “20 Years or longer”. For this time you have ro pay. The fine could raise to 10.000 Euros and more.

]]> By: ENDB03 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67213 ENDB03 Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:31:29 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67213 yeah fuck us...our country is ruled by even more retarded politicans than yours xD i dont have a tv or a radio cause all they broadcast here in germany sucks giant gorrilla balls..so no tax for me...till now :( the problem is we have an institution that checks your home for capable devices an if you have a tv/ radio (and now a pc) u pay a decent fine if you didnt pay the tax. its just 5€ or so but i think thats fubar.... have a nice weekend & greetings from germany yeah fuck us…our country is ruled by even more retarded politicans than yours xD

i dont have a tv or a radio cause all they broadcast here in germany sucks giant gorrilla balls..so no tax for me…till now :(
the problem is we have an institution that checks your home for capable devices an if you have a tv/ radio (and now a pc) u pay a decent fine if you didnt pay the tax. its just 5€ or so but i think thats fubar….

have a nice weekend & greetings from germany

]]> By: Kai http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67207 Kai Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:49:31 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67207 TV tax is a silly concept to us American, but it's fairly common in the EU. Here in the UK, TV license fees are accepted as given, and you get hassled (by mail) whenever you buy a new TV or PC-TV card. And I'd say it's a concern for the US as well, but it will come from the telecoms industry rather than the television industry. (The Net neutrality debate.) TV tax is a silly concept to us American, but it’s fairly common in the EU.

Here in the UK, TV license fees are accepted as given, and you get hassled (by mail) whenever you buy a new TV or PC-TV card.

And I’d say it’s a concern for the US as well, but it will come from the telecoms industry rather than the television industry. (The Net neutrality debate.)

]]> By: Markus http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67178 Markus Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:03:17 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67178 Hello Guys, Yes, we have a big problem here at Germany. The GEZ (www.gez.de), this is the company which collects the money, want that for broken/not connected tvs and radios and for PCs without tv-cards, too! Their (stupi) reason: You can repair the tv or plug in a tv card anytime. Boring, I know. Another story: ARD and ZDF, the station GEZ collects for, are streaming exactly ZERO MINUTES in the web. Yes, you´re right. We germans have to pay for a thing which does´nt exist! Because we have Halloween sonn, here is a very spooky story on GEZ. After we´ve loosed our great Wall, GEZ gave Jobs to many Stasi-Agents - because they can spy people better. GEZ is a big brother which knows all data of german people (Birth day, Incoming,...) Folks who speak german can read the whole horror-story on Spiegel online. Type "Datenkrake GEZ" into a search machine like Google, and then - be afraid... Hello Guys,

Yes, we have a big problem here at Germany. The GEZ (www.gez.de), this is the company which collects the money, want that for broken/not connected tvs and radios and for PCs without tv-cards, too! Their (stupi) reason: You can repair the tv or plug in a tv card anytime. Boring, I know.
Another story: ARD and ZDF, the station GEZ collects for, are streaming exactly ZERO MINUTES in the web. Yes, you´re right. We germans have to pay for a thing which does´nt exist!
Because we have Halloween sonn, here is a very spooky story on GEZ. After we´ve loosed our great Wall, GEZ gave Jobs to many Stasi-Agents – because they can spy people better. GEZ is a big brother which knows all data of german people (Birth day, Incoming,…)
Folks who speak german can read the whole horror-story on Spiegel online. Type “Datenkrake GEZ” into a search machine like Google, and then – be afraid…

]]> By: sindre rolstad http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67168 sindre rolstad Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:31:12 +0000 http://www.ghacks.net/2006/10/20/germany-introduces-internet-tax/#comment-67168 Hi! Inhabitants of Norway and Sweden pay TV tax, but bureaucratic creativity has not yet reached the German level when it comes to internet taxes. It has been discussed in Sweden, but there are uncertainities regarding how to appy such taxation. BTW fantastic site - reading it on a daily basis. Regards Sindre Hi!
Inhabitants of Norway and Sweden pay TV tax, but bureaucratic creativity has not yet reached the German level when it comes to internet taxes. It has been discussed in Sweden, but there are uncertainities regarding how to appy such taxation. BTW fantastic site – reading it on a daily basis.

Regards

Sindre

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