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What Tax System 101 does
The German tax system looks like a black box from the outside. On your first payslip there are suddenly income tax, solidarity surcharge, maybe church tax and social contributions on top, and less of your proud gross salary remains than you thought. Tax System 101 takes the fear out of this jungle and explains step by step which taxes exist, who pays them and how they connect.
It starts with an overview of the most important tax types. Income tax is the central tax on your income, wage tax is just its prepayment that your employer deducts directly from your salary. Added to these are the solidarity surcharge, which today only higher earners pay, and church tax, which only applies to church members. Tax System 101 explains each type in plain words, with the relevant legal basis.
The biggest aha moment for many is the tax classes. They determine how much wage tax is withheld each month, but they change nothing about the tax actually due at year end. Tax System 101 has a small assistant that suggests the right tax class based on your life situation, and a comparison for married couples between the combination III/V and IV/IV.
Anyone who wants to know what arrives at the end of the month uses the net estimator. You enter gross salary, tax class and a few details, and the tool shows a rough estimate of your net pay. For the exact calculation with all social contributions there is the detailed gross-net calculator, but for a first feel the estimate is enough.
Taxes have deadlines, and missing them can get expensive. Tax System 101 explains the key dates, above all the filing deadline for the income tax return, which for many falls in the following year. A checklist helps you keep track and shows what you can even deduct, from work-related expenses to special expenses.
So you understand the language too, a glossary decodes the typical terms: basic allowance, taxable income, the flat rate for work expenses and more. Tax System 101 does not replace tax advice, but it gives you the basic knowledge to understand your first payslip and tackle your first tax return - without feeling talked down to.
Features
All tax types explained
Income tax, wage tax, solidarity surcharge and church tax explained clearly, with the difference between tax and prepayment.
Tax class assistant
A few questions about your life situation, and the assistant suggests the right tax class for you.
Couple comparison III/V and IV/IV
See how the tax class combinations for married couples affect the monthly net pay.
Net estimator
Enter gross salary and tax class and get a rough estimate of your net pay, church tax optional.
Deadlines and checklist
The key tax dates including the filing deadline for the tax return, plus a checklist so nothing is left undone.
Deductibles and glossary
What you can deduct, from work expenses to special expenses, plus a glossary of typical tax terms.
How it works
- 1
Understand the tax types
Get an overview of income tax, wage tax, the solidarity surcharge and church tax and how they connect.
- 2
Find your tax class
Answer a few questions about your situation and the assistant tells you the right tax class.
- 3
Estimate your net pay
Enter gross salary and tax class to see roughly what lands in your account.
- 4
Check deadlines and deductibles
Look at the filing deadlines and work through the checklist of what you can claim in your tax return.
Who needs this
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between wage tax and income tax?
Income tax is the actual tax on your entire income. Wage tax is just the monthly prepayment on it that your employer withholds and pays to the tax office. The tax return reconciles at year end whether you paid too much or too little.
Which tax class is right for me?
It depends on your life situation: single, married, single parent or with a second job. The assistant in Tax System 101 asks exactly this and suggests the right class. For married couples there is also the comparison between III/V and IV/IV.
Do I have to file a tax return?
For many employees it is voluntary and often worthwhile because money comes back. In certain cases, for example with several jobs or tax class III/V, it is mandatory. Tax System 101 explains the cases and the filing deadline, which for most falls in the following year.
What is the basic allowance?
The basic allowance is the part of your income that stays tax-free because it secures the subsistence minimum. Only what lies above it is taxed. The amount rises almost every year. The glossary in Tax System 101 explains it along with the other basic terms.
What can I deduct from tax?
Typical are work-related expenses like commuting costs, work equipment or training, plus special expenses and extraordinary burdens. Tax System 101 shows you an overview of deductibles so you leave nothing on the table in your return. For details a closer look is still worthwhile.
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