Severance Pay Calculator
Calculate the amount of a typical severance payment and the tax burden under the one-fifth rule. Includes current 2026 tax rates, minimum wage and all.
Typical: 0.5 (standard severance per § 1a KSchG)
For fifth-rule calculation
Severance Pay (gross)
20.000,00 €
Estimated tax
7.025,00 €
35,1 % effektiv
Net severance
12.975,00 €
Severance Calculation
The standard severance (0.5 monthly salaries per year) is a guideline from § 1a KSchG. The fifth-rule only applies to extraordinary income. Severance is exempt from social security. Only income tax, solidarity surcharge and possibly church tax apply. Simplified calculation without solidarity surcharge and church tax.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a severance payment calculated?
The standard formula is half a gross monthly salary per year of service. For example, after 10 years with a 4,000 euro gross salary, the standard severance would be 20,000 euros.
How is severance taxed?
Severance payments are subject to income tax but not social insurance contributions. The "fifth rule" (Fuenftelregelung) can reduce the tax burden by spreading the tax effect over five years.
What is the Severance Pay Calculator?
The severance pay calculator computes the tax burden on a severance payment using the one-fifth rule.
How does the Severance Pay Calculator work?
Enter your annual salary and the severance amount. The one-fifth rule dampens tax progression: tax on one-fifth of the severance is calculated, multiplied by five and added to the regular tax. The calculator shows the effective tax burden.
Key Data and Facts
Rule of thumb for severance: 0.5 monthly salaries per year of service. The one-fifth rule mitigates tax progression. Severance payments are exempt from social security contributions.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate die tax auf eine Abfindung step by step: 1. Abfindungshoehe bestimmen: Faustformel: 0,5 Bruttomonatsgehaelter pro Beschaeftigungsjahr. Bei 10 Jahren und 4.000 EUR gross: 20.000 EUR. 2. Jahresbruttoeinkommen enter: Das regulaere income im year der Abfindung (ohne Abfindung). 3. Fuenftelregelung anwenden: tax auf regulaeres income calculate (tax A). tax auf regulaeres income + 1/5 der Abfindung calculate (tax B). Differenz (tax B - tax A) x 5 = tax auf die Abfindung. 4. Effektiven tax rate determine: tax auf Abfindung / Abfindungshoehe x 100. 5. Sozialversicherung: Abfindungen sind SV-frei. 6. Optimierung: Auszahlung im Folgejahr kann guenstiger sein, wenn das income dort niedriger ist. Kirchensteuererlass auf die Abfindung kann beim Finanzamt beantragt werden.
Calculation Example
Jahresbrutto 45.000 EUR, Abfindung 30.000 EUR, tax class (Steuerklasse) I. Ohne Fuenftelregelung: ca. 8.200 EUR tax. Mit Fuenftelregelung: ca. 6.100 EUR. Ersparnis: ca. 2.100 EUR.
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