This case, published by the newspaper The Bundprovokes laughter. However, for him main affectedwhose legal battle with the canton of Bern, which began in 2020, ended in failure, is nothing funny.
In Bern, Switzerland, the rule is clear: bicycle trips for professional reasons benefit from a fixed reduction of 700 francs (757 euros) per year, maximum. However, this limit did not seem to be to the liking of a certain taxpayer amateur to the bicycle.
The cyclist in question, estimating that he would spend much more than that amount with his preferred mode of transportation, sent the tax authorities a tax deduction application much larger, which amounted to 3,400 francs (3,676 euros).
As detailed The Bundthis request was accompanied by a scrupulous list of expenses, including 1,550 francs (1,676 euros) to cover the purchase of protein bars (or fuel), intended to compensate for his caloric deficit, since, according to him, his trips were made vigorous form.
Furthermore, the list also included a number of additional expenses: clothing, estimated at 480 francs (519 euros), laundry for 12 francs (13 euros), overnight stays outdoors due to bad weather: 226 francs (244 euros) and various repairs estimated at a total of 324 francs (350 euros). The German newspaper points out that the cyclist managed show indulgence with the Treasury by not including the cost of their drinks and other dietary supplements.
Even though the cyclist did his best, the request was denied. After his initial request was rejected by the Treasury, the Bernese, not willing to surrender without a last battle, returned to the charge through the Cantonal Fiscal Resources Commission, this time adding a garage rate of 25 francs (27 euros) per month.
Without leaving anything to chance, the cyclist added a new argument: his savings in estimated timeof the approximately 112,492 kilometers that he says he traveled between his home and work in 2020.
He declared 181 trips that totaled 3,656 kilometers. The files show that a single trip to work has a length of 32.5 kilometers. However, depending on the circumstances, the cyclist also traveled only part of the route and used the public transport.
Their calorie consumption was “certainly efficient compared to combustion engines of fossil fuels,” he wrote. It took an average of 62 minutes to travel the 32.5 kilometers, and the one-way trip took him little time. less than an hour due to the unevenness. The cyclist documented his fast ride with screenshots.
But once again, there was no response. As explained The Bundthe authorities considered his argument unconvincing and his time savings difficult to prove. Regarding his request for a mileage deduction that far exceeded the 70 cents allowed for drivers, he also was dismissed.
This story has left a clear conclusion: the use of the bicycle and the associated expenses continue to be a ordinary private spendingnot tax deductible. Ultimately, the Bernese will have to pay legal costs in the amount of 900 francs (973 euros).
