Retiring

Updated : 12/2012

Taxes

I'm an employee

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Which income will be taxed in Germany?

• Lived in Germany for more than 6 consecutive months? You are considered "ordinarily resident" in Germany (gewöhnlicher Aufenthalt) and must pay tax on your worldwide income and property there.
• Lived in Germany for no more than 6 months? You are not considered tax resident, and pay tax only on income earned in Germany.
• You receive income from other EU countries? Check you never pay tax twice on the same income.

How much will you pay?

What's left of your gross income in Germany after deduction of taxes and social security contributions?

Online tax calculator - Germany Deutsch

Income tax rates for 2011 (declared in 2012 return)

Income tax is progressive — the more you earn, the higher your rate. For individuals, the 2011 tax rate varies between 14% and 45%.

If you are member of a religious community which collects church tax, the rate is  8% in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, 9% in other Länder.

There is also a solidarity levy (Solidaritätszuschlag), equivalent to 5.5% of your income tax.

Take into account any:

• tax allowances
• deductions you may be entitled to for certain types of expenditure.

When and how do you pay?

Your employer will deduct the amount of tax and social security contributions due from your salary.

Salary your only source of income? — You do not have to file an annual tax return.

Want to file a return to benefit from specific tax allowances? — Send it to your tax office before the end of May of the following year.

How to appeal / complain

Your tax office (Finanzamt Deutsch) will provide information on your rights and obligations. Detailed advice can be obtained from tax consultants or solicitors, who can also represent you.

You may challenge any decision on taxation at the local tax office (Finanzamt Deutsch), and subsequently, if need be, take your complaint to the tax tribunal (Finanzgericht). You have 1 month to challenge a decision.

Links

German government — income tax info

Still need help?