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Familienkasse

Kindergeld aufgehoben (child benefit cancelled): what the decision means

What this letter means

With an Aufhebungsbescheid (cancellation decision) the Familienkasse stops paying Kindergeld from a certain month. If circumstances that matter for the entitlement change, it cancels the Kindergeld decision from the date of the change (§ 70 Abs. 2 EStG).

Common reasons for children aged 18 and over: training or university studies have ended, proof is missing, or after completing a first training (Erstausbildung) the child works more than is allowed. The conditions for children aged 18 and over are in § 32 Abs. 4 EStG.

If the date of the cancellation is in the past, the decision often also includes a repayment demand. More on this under Rückforderung von Kindergeld (repayment of child benefit).

What to do now

  1. 1Note the date of the decision and work out when the deadline ends.
  2. 2Read from which month and for what reason the Kindergeld stops.
  3. 3Check whether the reason is correct, for example the stated end of training.
  4. 4Find proof, for example a certificate from the school or university (Schul- oder Studienbescheinigung) or a training contract (Ausbildungsvertrag).
  5. 5File an Einspruch and send the proof with it.
  6. 6Write your reply in German. German authorities work in German, so a letter in German is the safest way to make sure your reply is understood and processed. The templates (Vorlagen) on this site are in German.

How you can reply

File an Einspruch (objection)

If the reason is wrong or proof was missing that you can now provide. Online via the service "Einspruch Kindergeld" or by letter to the Familienkasse.

Make a new application

If the entitlement arises again later, for example because new training starts. Kindergeld is only paid retroactively for the last six months before the month of the application (§ 70 Abs. 1 EStG).

Common questions

My child is 18 or older. Is there still Kindergeld?

Possibly yes, for example during vocational training or university studies up to the 25th birthday. The conditions are in § 32 Abs. 4 EStG. The Familienkasse needs proof for this.

Do I have to write Einspruch or Widerspruch?

For Kindergeld under the Income Tax Act it is called Einspruch. But using the wrong term does no harm (§ 357 Abs. 1 AO).

Is Kindergeld still paid until the decision on the Einspruch?

Not automatically. In principle, an Einspruch does not stop a decision from taking effect (§ 361 Abs. 1 AO). You can apply for suspension of enforcement (Aussetzung der Vollziehung).

Sources (German law and official pages)

  1. § 70 EStG: Festsetzung und Zahlung des Kindergeldes
  2. § 32 EStG: Kinder, Freibeträge für Kinder
  3. § 347 AO: Statthaftigkeit des Einspruchs
  4. § 355 AO: Einspruchsfrist
  5. § 357 AO: Einlegung des Einspruchs
  6. § 361 AO: Aussetzung der Vollziehung
  7. § 122 AO: Bekanntgabe des Verwaltungsakts
  8. Familienkasse: Kindergeld, Anspruch, Höhe, Dauer

Research as of: 10 November 2026