What do you do if you receive an incorrect bill from a German public authority?
Einbürgerungstest, question 283 German original
Was tun Sie, wenn Sie eine falsche Rechnung von einer deutschen Behörde bekommen?
- Ich lasse die Rechnung liegen. I leave the bill lying around.
- Ich lege Widerspruch bei der Behörde ein. I lodge an objection with the authority.
- Ich schicke die Rechnung an die Behörde zurück. I send the bill back to the authority.
- Ich gehe mit der Rechnung zum Finanzamt. I take the bill to the Finanzamt (tax office).
Show the answer
Correct answer: Ich lege Widerspruch bei der Behörde ein. I lodge an objection with the authority.
Why?
You can challenge an incorrect bill from a public authority by lodging an objection, called a Widerspruch, with that authority. The deadline is usually one month and is stated at the end of the letter. Ignoring the bill or sending it back does not count as an objection, and the Finanzamt (tax office) does not deal with other authorities' bills.
Key term: Widerspruch = objection