Easy application for passports and ID cards from November: New simplifications and digital options for more convenience.

Passports and ID cards should be easier to apply for

Although it is not yet possible to apply for a fully digital ID card and passport, the first improvements will be made in November. Anyone who needs a new “photo ID” previously had to make (at least) two appointments with the issuing authority: once to apply and then to collect it. The latter will soon be eliminated.

Previously, the newly issued ID card had to be picked up at a second appointment. Now an additional signature should be enough to get the ID card at a pick-up station after completion. Without an appointment. To be on the safe side, you should ask whether the change will work everywhere as early as November 1st.

In the next step, citizens should also receive their PIN number for the online ID functions directly when applying. So far the PIN has come by post. This code allows access to all digital functions of the ID card. This includes proof of identity on the Internet, certain applications for car registrations or government support and, in the future, online signatures. The online functions are not mandatory, but you should still keep your PIN safe. If in doubt, generating a new one is more complicated.

“Application for wage tax reduction” by November 30th. place

If you are a permanent employee and would like to receive your possible tax advantage for 2023 now, you can submit an “application for a wage tax reduction” to the responsible tax office. Is it until November 30th? received, the expected tax refund for 2023 can be paid out with the salary for December. However, anyone who submits the application should note that a tax return must then be submitted next year, in which the prepaid relief will then be offset.

However, this is only worthwhile for people who had high business expenses in the current year (at least 1,830 euros), for example for travel costs, training, childcare, donations or church taxes. This advance payment can be particularly valuable for single parents who have had above-average expenses. The application is always valid for two years and accordingly also affects salary payments in the next year.

Amazon Visa credit cards are being discontinued

Anyone who has a Visa credit card through the online retailer Amazon and would like to continue paying with this account should apply for a successor card by November 15th at the latest. The deadline for the application will then expire and the old one will be blocked on November 30th, and the account will then no longer be available.

The background is the end of a partnership between Amazon and Landesbank Berlin (LBB). Anyone who accepts LBB's proposal and applies for a new card from Berliner Sparkasse can keep their Amazon Visa account until March 2024. Everyone else will have to switch to another bank.

Three streaming services are becoming more expensive

The prices of three major streaming services will change from November. Disney+ is changing its subscription model. From November there will be three different subscription variants. Here in descending order of cost: Very good quality, good quality and good quality with commercial breaks. And Netflix will also have a cheaper subscription option with advertising breaks from November, while account sharing will be more expensive. Spotify is also increasingly asking for payment. Among other things, the family subscription has become more expensive. The monthly option to cancel still applies to all providers.

And otherwise. Important dates:

There are expected to be several changes in November that may impact the market, the consumer and the industry. On the one hand, ID cards and passports will be easier to apply for. Instead of two appointments, in the future only one additional signature will be required to collect the ID card. In addition, the PIN numbers for the online ID functions are provided directly with the application. It is also possible to submit an “application for wage tax reduction” in order to have possible tax advantages paid out as early as December. This is particularly worthwhile for people with high advertising costs. In addition, Amazon Visa credit cards will be discontinued, forcing customers to switch to other banks. Finally, three major streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix and Spotify, are increasing their prices in November. However, there is still the option to cancel monthly.

Analysis and Impact:

Making it easier to apply for ID cards and passports should reduce the administrative burden on citizens and save time. The ability to receive the PIN number directly when applying simplifies access to the online functions of the ID card and enables faster use of digital services. This could lead to more people using the online functions of the ID card and therefore more digital applications and proof of identity being carried out on the Internet. For companies and authorities, this means increased digitalization and increased interest in the corresponding services.

The “Application for a wage tax reduction” offers the advantage that people with high income-related expenses can receive a tax refund as early as December. This can provide financial relief, especially for single parents with above-average expenses, and offer them more flexibility. The impact on the market could be that people increase their spending or invest if they receive their tax refund in advance.

The discontinuation of Amazon Visa credit cards due to the end of the partnership with Landesbank Berlin could annoy customers and lead to them switching to other banks. This could have an impact on Amazon's customer traffic and economic activities. There is also the possibility that customers will choose other credit card offers, which could lead to changes in the card market.

The price increases for the streaming services Disney+, Netflix and Spotify could have an impact on the number of subscribers and thus on the market. Some customers may cancel their subscriptions or switch to cheaper offerings, while others may be willing to pay more for higher quality or ad-free options. This could affect the sales and profits of streaming providers.

Source:

According to a report by www.br.de.