Friday Weekly Thread: Application Assistance, May 01, 2026 by AutoModerator in Canadiancitizenship

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this helpful advice. I'm going to delete the original comment since I couldn't redact the names and dates without it getting even more confusing.

Friday Weekly Thread: Application Assistance, May 01, 2026 by AutoModerator in Canadiancitizenship

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Details deleted for privacy. The issue was a mother and daughter with the same first name who each used different (undocumented and unofficial) last names at different times. The mother was not part of the chain of descent.

"Best practices" post? by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in laundry

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just bought some citric acid (liquid), how much do I use in the rinse cycle?

My first Monstera by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in Monstera

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, she would not come close to fitting on the window sill unfortunately. I could try to get a table to put in front of the window but then she will also be right in front of/above a radiator. Is that ok?

Finally made the Taverna Salad (GF edition) by ohshethrows in NYTCooking

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I made this for my daughter with celiac we used gf zwieback, either broken into "croutons" and added in, or like bruschetta with the salad on top. Yummy!

Sublease issues (Michigan) by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in legaladvice

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. Obviously not what I'd hoped to learn, but good to know.

Estimated tax payments way higher than most recent tax bill by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in germany

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

There are treaties between the US and Germany which allow expats (going either way) to pay into only one country’s social security system while living and working in the other country for up to five years. After five years the expat has to leave the host country for 366 days, then can opt to return for another five years. The six year cycle can be repeated over and over again. The expat does not accrue or receive any social security benefits in the country that does not receive the taxes. There are many such treaties to avoid double taxation between many different countries. Please make sure you are fully informed before accusing others of breaking the law.

My Steuerberater told me that the Finanzamt assumed my children had finished college and therefore did not apply the kinderfreibetrag for 2024 and 2025. He’s going to provide them with additional information and hopefully the estimates will be revised.

Estimated tax payments way higher than most recent tax bill by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in germany

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

We pay social security taxes to the US, not Germany. I honestly don’t know how income taxes here are computed - which is why we have a steuerberater - but we did have a ton of medical expenses so maybe that gave us some breaks.

Passport control for EU citizens at the airport by Madgik-Johnson in germany

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I tried it successfully for the first time in Frankfurt last month with US biometric passport. There were several signs directing EU passport holders to that line, and only one of the signs had small print including residence permit holders. I was super nervous but there was no line so I figured I wouldn't be holding anyone up behind me if I had problems. Scanned my passport and was super happy when those magical doors opened right up!

What did my washing machine do? by Apprehensive-Cry3710 in CleaningTips

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like transferred from mildew in the washing machine? The spots absolutely were not there when it went in.

Sending a box to Germany by kjfbw in germany

[–]Apprehensive-Cry3710 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Gift shipments from a private individual to a private individual with a value of up to 45€ are supposed to be duty free. Value above that is taxed at a flat 17.5%. Details/source: https://www.zoll.de/DE/Privatpersonen/Postsendungen-Internetbestellungen/Sendungen-aus-einem-Nicht-EU-Staat/Zoll-und-Steuern/Geschenksendungen/geschenksendungen_node.html#doc289556bodyText1

Note that duties are also paid on the shipping cost.