Social security contributions in Germany in 2026
Let's look at what social contributions there are in Germany. Two types of payments are deducted from an employee's salary: social security contributions and income...
INCOME TAX IN GERMANY
We constantly hear that taxes in Germany are huge. Let's figure out whether they really are that huge and what they depend on From...
Do pensioners pay tax?
Pensions in Germany are subject to tax – but far from all of them, and not for everyone. For the majority of recipients…
What is the difference between Steuer-ID and Steuernummer...
Steuer-ID and Steuernummer are constantly confused — and with good reason: both translate as «tax number», both come from the tax office,…
WHO IS THE RIESTER-RENTE NOT SUITABLE FOR?
Key points for August 2026. A new Riester-Rente contract can only be concluded by 31 December 2026. From 1…
FAQ: Self-employment and business in Germany
60 FAQs about self-employment in Germany: Freiberufler or Gewerbe, registration, taxes and VAT, invoices and…
Tax classes
Everyone working in Germany has a tax bracket (Lohnsteuerklasse). Why are tax brackets needed? Whichever tax bracket you...
Rürup-Rente — a private pension scheme with state…
Rürup-Rente: a pension for the self-employed with tax relief options
How to file a tax return in Germany yourself
Doing your tax return (Steuererklärung) in Germany seems like a complex task, especially if you are self-employed or have multiple sources of income….
Accounting programmes and applications and…
In Germany, both for businesses and private individuals, proper bookkeeping and compliance with tax obligations play...
Cryptocurrency taxation in Germany
In which cases does an investor pay tax on cryptocurrency, and how to make use of a tax relief.
What taxes does a German investor pay?
Taxation of investments: specific features, tax rate, and the income classes to which it applies.
Compulsory pension contributions for the self-employed
Answering a frequent question — mandatory pension contributions for the self-employed. The self-employed include Selbstständige and Freiberufler. The government is...
Taxation of investments
What tax needs to be paid on investment income in Germany – briefly, by points. A detailed analysis with all exemptions,...
Couples income tax
TAXATION OF SPOUSES' INCOME Initially, income tax is based on the individual principle: one taxpayer — one tax return. This applies to a certain…
TAXES ON PURCHASES IN ONLINE STORES
SHOPPING IN OVERSEAS ONLINE STORES. HOW MUCH DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE?
PARENTAL SUPPORT AND TAX WRITE-OFFS
CAN PARENTS' SUPPORT BE DEDUCTED FROM TAXES? Yes. And it should be. ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS You must legally live and work…
RIESTER PENSION – SUBSIDISED PENSION
The Riester-Rente scheme is a voluntary supplementary pension scheme with state participation. Video: What is Riester-Rente and who is it suitable for…
Kinderfreibetrag or Kindergeld?
For each child, the state supports parents in Germany in one of two ways: through the monthly Kindergeld payment or a tax allowance...
Tax classes in Germany – myths and…
In Germany, the personal income tax system is closely linked to the so-called tax classes (Steuerklassen). In most cases, the tax…
