Wage Tax Calculator Germany
German wage tax 2026 on your monthly pay by tax class I–VI, with Soli, church tax, child allowances and annual figures including the Vorsorgepauschale.
Wage tax / month
€531.83
Tax deductions / month
€531.83
Monthly tax burden
Annual amounts
Wage tax on regular monthly pay under § 39b EStG 2026, following the BMF program flow chart. The Vorsorgepauschale assumes statutory health insurance with the average additional contribution of 2.9 %, no childless surcharge on long-term care insurance and no allowances from ELStAM. Child allowances only lower the solidarity surcharge and church tax. Social security contributions themselves are not deducted here – use the gross-to-net calculator for that. Without guarantee.
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between income tax and wage tax?
Wage tax is a form of income tax that is deducted directly from your salary by your employer. At the end of the year, wage tax paid is offset against your actual income tax liability in your tax return.
How is wage tax calculated?
Wage tax depends on your gross salary, tax class, number of children, church membership, and any tax allowances entered on your electronic tax card (ELStAM).
Are the 2026 German tax values current?
Yes — all tax rates, allowances and contribution ceilings reflect 2026: basic allowance €12,348, top tax rate 42 % from €69,879, Soli exemption €20,350 (€40,700 in tax class III), tax class V/VI thresholds €14,071 / €34,939 / €222,260. Wage tax follows the 2026 program flow chart of the German Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF); legal texts from gesetze-im-internet.de.
Why is wage tax so high in tax classes V and VI?
Classes V and VI have no basic allowance of their own. Under § 39b(2) sentence 7 EStG the annual wage tax is twice the difference between the tax on 1.25 times and on 0.75 times the taxable annual amount, at least 14 %; at most 42 % on the part above 14,071 euros, 42 % above 34,939 euros and 45 % above 222,260 euros. Class VI also loses the employee and special-expenses lump sums. At 4,000 euros gross the monthly wage tax is 531.83 euros in class I, 955.00 euros in V and 999.33 euros in VI. Anything withheld in excess comes back with the income tax return – which is mandatory with III/V and with a second job (§ 46(2) EStG).
Guide
What is the Wage Tax Calculator Germany?
The wage tax calculator computes monthly or annual wage tax based on gross salary and tax class. It is tailored specifically for employees.
How does the Wage Tax Calculator Germany work?
Enter your monthly gross wage, tax class (I–VI) and any child allowances. The calculator follows § 39b EStG and the BMF program flow chart: annual gross minus the employee lump sum and the special-expenses lump sum (neither applies in class VI) minus the Vorsorgepauschale gives the taxable annual amount. It then applies the 2026 tariff – splitting in class III, the differential method in V and VI – and divides the annual tax by 12. Child allowances only lower the solidarity surcharge and church tax.
Key Data and Facts
Six tax classes: I (single), II (single parent), III/V (married combo), IV (married equal), VI (second job). Single-parent relief: 4,260 euros. Tax classes V/VI: at least 14 %, thresholds 14,071 / 34,939 / 222,260 euros. Soli exemption limit: 20,350 euros, 40,700 euros in class III.
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate wage tax step by step: 1. Enter the gross wage: your monthly gross pay from employment; the calculator multiplies it by 12 to get the annual figure. 2. Choose the tax class: I – single, divorced, widowed people. II – single parents (relief amount 4,260 EUR; the extra 240 EUR per additional child is only available as an allowance on application or in the tax return). III – married people with the higher income (partner in V). IV – married people with similar incomes. V – married people with the lower income. VI – second and side jobs, without the employee and special-expenses lump sums. 3. Enter child allowances (0.5 or 1.0 per child, classes I to IV only): they do not reduce the wage tax, only the basis for the solidarity surcharge and church tax. 4. Read off the wage tax: the calculator deducts the Vorsorgepauschale (pension, health and long-term care insurance, plus unemployment insurance on small wages up to the 1,900 EUR limit), applies the 2026 tariff and divides the annual tax by 12. 5. Soli and church tax: are taken into account automatically. Example: a female employee in tax class II with one child (child allowance 1.0), gross 3,200 EUR/month in Bayern (8 % church tax). Vorsorgepauschale: 3,571.20 EUR RV + 3,244.80 EUR KV + 691.20 EUR PV = 7,507.20 EUR, rounded up to 7,508 EUR. Taxable: 38,400 - 1,230 - 36 - 4,260 - 7,508 = 25,366 EUR. Wage tax: 2,947 EUR a year, 245.58 EUR a month. Church tax is based on the wage tax after deducting the child allowance of 9,756 EUR – 553 EUR a year, 46.08 EUR a month – of which 8 % is 3.68 EUR. Soli: 0 EUR. Total tax deduction: 249.26 EUR/month. In tax class I the same gross would carry 342.58 EUR wage tax – the single-parent relief saves 97 EUR a month.
Calculation Example
Single parent, tax class II, 1 child (child allowance 1.0), gross 3,200 EUR/month, Bayern (8% church tax). Vorsorgepauschale: 7,508 EUR. Taxable: 25,366 EUR. Wage tax: 2,947 EUR/year = 245.58 EUR/month. Church tax: 8% of 46.08 EUR = 3.68 EUR. Soli: 0 EUR. Total tax deduction: 249.26 EUR/month. | 4,000 EUR gross in tax class I / V / VI: 531.83 / 955.00 / 999.33 EUR wage tax a month.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Einkommensteuergesetz (EStG) — gesetze-im-internet.de
- Bundesministerium der Finanzen (BMF)
- Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
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