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Which German Tax Class
Are You In?

Answer 3–5 quick questions and find your Steuerklasse — with a plain-English explanation of what it means and what to do next.

🇬🇧 In English All 6 classes covered Married couples Single parents Second jobs
Step 1 of 5

All 6 German Tax Classes

Quick reference — your result above will be highlighted.

I
Standard
Single, divorced, widowed, or separated. The default for most expats.
II
Single Parent
Single parent living alone with at least one child. Must apply at Finanzamt.
III
Married – Main Earner
Married, one partner earns significantly more. Lowest monthly tax. Partner must be in Class V.
IV
Married – Equal Earners
Married, both earn roughly the same. Default for new couples. Avoids year-end surprises.
V
Married – Lower Earner
Married, partner is in Class III. Higher monthly deductions — reclaimed via tax return.
VI
Second Job
Any job beyond your main employment. Highest deductions, no allowances applied.
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German Tax Classes Explained — A Plain English Guide

Germany has six tax classes (Steuerklassen I–VI) that determine how much income tax is withheld from your monthly salary. The right class can make a significant difference to your take-home pay — and the wrong one can mean paying too much tax every month (though you can reclaim it via your annual tax return).

Tax Class I is the default for single employees and applies to most expats arriving in Germany. It uses the standard progressive income tax formula with the full basic tax-free allowance (Grundfreibetrag) of €11,784 in 2025. Classes III–V apply to married couples and offer different trade-offs: Class III gives the main earner very low monthly deductions, while Class V applies higher deductions to the partner — the household overall benefits, but the year-end tax return is mandatory.

Tax Class II is specifically for single parents living alone with children. It provides an additional relief allowance (Entlastungsbetrag) of €4,260/year. Class VI applies to any employment beyond your main job and has no allowances — making it the highest-deduction class.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tax Classes

Can I change my tax class after arriving in Germany?
Yes. You apply for a tax class change at your local Finanzamt (tax office). Changes can be made once per calendar year. If you're married, both partners must apply together. The change typically takes 4–6 weeks to take effect in the ELStAM system used by employers.
What happens if I'm assigned the wrong tax class?
If you're in a higher tax class than you should be, more tax is withheld monthly than necessary. You can reclaim the overpaid tax via your annual Steuererklärung (tax return). For Class I, this is voluntary — but for married couples in Class III/V, filing a joint tax return is legally required.
Does my tax class affect my net salary a lot?
Yes, considerably. On a €50,000 gross salary, the difference between Class I and Class III can be €200–€400 per month in net pay. However, the annual tax return balances this out — Class III couples typically owe additional tax at year-end, while Class I employees often receive a refund.
I have two jobs in Germany — which tax class applies?
Your main job uses your normal tax class (I, II, III, IV or V depending on your situation). All additional jobs are automatically assigned Tax Class VI, which has no allowances and the highest deductions. The excess tax withheld via Class VI can be reclaimed through your annual tax return.