Three compensations for local taxes and electricity prices, how pensioners benefit

In the multitude of obligations imposed on citizens, the government has taken care to relieve the marginalized categories of society, especially pensioners, from this burden.

From the increase in the price of electricity, to the additions to the house tax, cleaning or even education in the capital, because pensioners constitute a very large number of the population with low paying abilities, governments and local authorities have decided to exclude several categories, among which are the elderly, mainly pensioners who are heads of households. In total, according to a calculation by the newspaper, pensioners can benefit from 850 lek that is given to them in the form of compensation for non-payment of local taxes and fees and at least 648 lek that comes in the form of compensation for the price of electricity.

LOCAL TAXES

The last local tax that has been set is the apartment tax, which comes with the water bill (the latter serves as a tax agent for other obligations as well). Since allowing its application and collection by the local government, it was decided to exempt certain categories of pensioners from paying the apartment tax.

The tax is calculated as 0.005 percent of the price of a square meter multiplied by the area of ​​the apartment or house. On average, a square meter in Tirana is worth 89 thousand lek. For an apartment with an average area of ​​about 80 square meters, the tax is 3600 lek per year, or 300 lek per month.

Pensioners who are heads of households do not pay this tax. But not only that. According to the law in Tirana, pensioners who are heads of households are also exempt from the “Temporary Tax for Educational Infrastructure” and the “Cleaning and Waste Removal Fee”. The education tax is 150 lek per month, while the cleaning fee is 417 lek per month. Even for these taxes, pensioners will be compensated by not paying. So, just from the taxes and fees that are paid together with the water bill, pensioners save about 850 lek.

COMPENSATION FOR LIGHTS

Since 2015, pensioners who are heads of households are also compensated for the increase in the price of electricity. The monthly compensation is 648 lek. Unlike taxes, the compensation for energy is in cash and is added to the pension. The common denominator of tax compensation, i.e. exemption from payment and compensation for electricity, are pensioners who are heads of households. Only these people can not pay the house tax and other local taxes, as well as receive energy compensation and the conditions are simple. “The documents they must submit are a copy of the contract with the energy distribution operator in their name, a copy of the book or liquidated invoice that certifies that they pay for the energy consumed, a family certificate to certify that they are single heads of household or have other family members of working age, as well as a declaration that is completed at the counters of our agencies.

Verification of whether other family members are unemployed and seeking work is done by us officially at the employment offices. "So, whoever is a pensioner with income only from the pension, that is, with children or separated from the family certificate, or unemployed, or whoever is a pensioner without other income, benefits from energy compensation of 648 lek per month, as well as non-payment of taxes of about 850 lek per month. The condition is that the energy booklet is in his name. As in the case of property tax, the house ownership certificate must be in his name. In total, he can benefit from compensations of about 1500 lek per month.

DOCUMENTS

Signed photocopy of identity card.

Family certificate for the disabled.

For adult family members, certification from the Labor Office that they are unemployed job seekers.

Photocopy of the electricity supply contract, which is in the name of the head of the household, certified with the pensioner's signature.

Photocopy of the electricity bill proving that there are no unpaid debts./Gazeta Panorama