essential terms explained in plain language.
115 terms
Tax assessment notice — official document from the Finanzamt stating how much tax you owe or are owed.
Ihr Abgabenbescheid für das Jahr 2023 ist beigefügt.
Income tax return — annual filing required for most employed persons in Germany.
Tax office — the local German tax authority responsible for processing tax returns and assessments.
Tax-free allowance — the amount of income or assets exempt from taxation. Common examples: Grundfreibetrag (basic personal allowance ~€11,604/year), Kinderfreibetrag (child allowance), Sparerpauschbetrag (saver's allowance €1,000/year).
Trade tax — a municipal tax levied on business income in Germany.
Church tax — an additional income tax (8–9% of income tax) automatically deducted from members of recognised religious communities (Catholic, Protestant). You can opt out by formally leaving the church (Kirchenaustritt).
Wage tax — income tax withheld directly from employee salaries by the employer.
Letter from the tax office — official correspondence from the German tax authority.
Solidarity surcharge ('Soli') — additional tax on income/corporate tax, now abolished for most taxpayers.
Tax ID (Steueridentifikationsnummer) — permanent 11-digit number assigned at birth/first registration, unlike Steuernummer which can change.
Tax class (bracket) — one of 6 classes (I–VI) assigned to employees in Germany that determines how much income tax is withheld from wages. Depends on marital status and employment situation.
Als Verheirateter wurde Ihnen Steuerklasse III zugewiesen.
Tax identification number — 10-13 digit number assigned by the Finanzamt for tax filings.
Tax prepayment — quarterly advance payments of income or corporate tax required from self-employed persons and businesses, based on estimated annual tax liability.
Value-added tax (VAT) / sales tax — the German equivalent of VAT, currently 19% standard rate (7% reduced).