Letter guide
Letter guides: German letters explained simply
Plain-language guides to the letters people in Germany receive most often — tax office, Jobcenter, fines, landlord, Kindergeld and more.
Steuerbescheid (tax assessment): what it means and what to do
Got a Steuerbescheid from the Finanzamt? What it says, how to check it and the one-month deadline to object — explained simply.
Read guideRundfunkbeitrag: the letter from the Beitragsservice explained
Letter from the ARD ZDF Deutschlandradio Beitragsservice? What the broadcasting fee is, who pays and how to register, pay or apply for an exemption.
Read guideBescheid from the Jobcenter (Bürgergeld): how to read it
Jobcenter decision about Bürgergeld? What a Bewilligungsbescheid, Änderungsbescheid or Aufhebungsbescheid means, and the one-month deadline to object.
Read guideMahnung and Mahnbescheid: what to do about a payment reminder
Got a Mahnung or even a Mahnbescheid from the court? How to check if it is justified, what happens if you ignore it and the two-week deadline for a Mahnbescheid.
Read guideBußgeldbescheid (fine): what it means and the two-week deadline
Received a Bußgeldbescheid, e.g. for speeding or parking? What’s inside, how to pay and how to object within two weeks.
Read guideNebenkostenabrechnung: how to check the utility bill from your landlord
Got a Nebenkostenabrechnung (service charge statement)? How to read it, what to check and the 12-month deadline to object.
Read guideLetter from the Familienkasse (Kindergeld): what it means
Letter from the Familienkasse about Kindergeld? Decisions, requests for documents and repayment demands explained — and the deadlines to watch.
Read guideTermination from your employer (Kündigung): what to do now
Your employer terminated your job? What to check in the Kündigung, why you must register with the Agentur für Arbeit quickly and the three-week deadline to go to court.
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