One of the less thrilling aspects of moving to a new country is understanding their tax system. Especially the German tax jungle leaves most people in fear 🫣. But don't worry, we got you covered! With some basic knowledge and a dash of planning, you will soon feel at home with the German Finanzamt (that's 'Tax Office' for you and me).

The Tax Classes: What are They and Which One is for You?

The first thing to grasp about the German tax system is the concept of tax classes, or Steuerklassen. These are essentially categories that determine how much income tax you need to pay. There are six classes, but don't let that scare you off. Here they are, simplified:

  1. Class I: For single individuals or those divorced.
  2. Class II: Single parents living alone with their child.
  3. Class III: Married people where only one partner is earning or one is earning significantly more.
  4. Class IV: Married couples where both earn roughly the same amount.
  5. Class V: The counterpart to Class III, i.e., the partner who earns less or not at all.
  6. Class VI: For income from a second job.

Choosing the right class can make a significant difference to your tax bill, so it's worth taking a moment to pick the one that suits your situation best.

A Progressive System: The More You Earn, the More You Pay

Germany operates a progressive tax system. In simple terms, this means that the more you earn, the higher the percentage of tax you will pay. The rate starts at 14% for those with an annual income above €9,744 (as of 2021) and goes up to 45% for those earning more than €270,500 a year. But remember, these rates apply to income over these thresholds. Your first €9,744 is tax-free!

The Church Tax - A Unique German Trait

One unique aspect of the German tax system is the Kirchensteuer or church tax. If you belong to either the Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish faiths and are officially registered as such, you'll pay a church tax. This amounts to 8-9% of your income tax, not your income. Don't worry, if you're not a member of these communities, you won't have to pay this.

The Solidarity Surcharge - For the Greater Good

Since 1991, Germany has imposed a Solidarity Surcharge or Solidaritätszuschlag of 5.5% on your income tax. This was originally introduced to help fund the reunification of East and West Germany. As of 2021, only those with a high income need to pay this.

Let’s look at some concrete examples to illustrate how the German tax system works

Example 1 Meet Ahmed, a single software developer who moved from Cairo, Egypt to Berlin for a job opportunity. He earns €60,000 annually. Ahmed would fall into Tax Class I since he's single and not a parent.

His income tax would be calculated as follows: