Child benefit decision from the Familienkasse: calculate the deadline
The Familienkasse decides on your child benefit: grant, refusal, cancellation or repayment.
How to recognise the letter
- The sender is the Familienkasse (usually part of the Federal Employment Agency).
- It is about child benefit: grant, cancellation, refusal or repayment.
- Often it asks for proof, e.g. a school or training certificate.
Which deadline applies?
Objection (Einspruch): one month after notification (§ 355 Abs. 1 S. 1 AO). If the end falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline ends on the next working day (§ 108 Abs. 3 AO). The calculator on this page works out the exact day – step by step.
Child benefit is a tax refund: procedure under the Fiscal Code (§ 31 S. 3 EStG).
What happens if you do nothing?
Once the objection period has passed, the decision becomes final; a repayment must then be made.
Your options
- Send the missing proof
- Object (Einspruch) – possible without reasons at first
- If they want money back: ask the Familienkasse about instalments
- Advice at an advice centre
Who can help?
Familienkasse (ask), advice centre
Terms in this letter
Frequently asked questions
Why does the tax office deadline apply here?
Child benefit is paid as a tax refund (§ 31 S. 3 EStG), so the Fiscal Code applies: objection within one month of notification (§ 355 Abs. 1 S. 1 AO).
How much time do I have?
One month after notification (§ 355 Abs. 1 S. 1 AO). If the end falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, the deadline ends on the next working day (§ 108 Abs. 3 AO). The calculator above shows the exact day with every step.
Who can help me?
Familienkasse (ask), advice centre.
General information, not legal advice. Whether this decision is correct and what is right in your case is for an advice centre or a lawyer to say. Laws link to the official German text at gesetze-im-internet.de.