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Saleries are typically given before taxes. Taxes in Germany are, for the better or worse, fairly high, higher than in the USA (sales tax is much higher). Expe

Saleries are typically given before taxes. Taxes in Germany are, for the better or worse, fairly high, higher than in the USA (sales tax is much higher). Expect some 42% income tax if you earn well. The church tax ("Kirchensteuer") applies if you are (declared) member of either dominant religion (Lutheran protestant or Catholic christian). It's the state which levies the tax, but only as a service to the church to which the funds are passed. It is about 10% of the income tax, i.e. about 4% of your taxable income.

mfalcao 3y ago
Interesting. Does the state charge for the collection service? And what if you declare yourself a member of the church but do not want to contribute - can you opt out or do you just have to lie?
- guenthert 3y ago
  > Does the state charge for the collection service? I have no idea. I'd think that's something to be negotiated between church and state. > And what if you declare yourself a member of the church but do not want to contribute - can you opt out or do you just have to lie? If you tell the state that you're member of either of those two religions, you have to pay the tax. Tax evasion is taken seriously in Germany. If you lie to the state, it's out of the picture. And no church will check your tax record when you go there to pray. They might refuse other services like marriage etc. if you're not declared member. Most people though are either fond of their church and more or less gladly give or just exit. A good share of people living in Germany don't belong to any religion.
deleted 3y ago
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blackmoon42 3y ago
But the 42% is the max tax-rate. As the tax itself is increasing dynamically, you are paying less for the income before the limit. So the average tax for your income is usually lower. For example: A single will pay 42% for income above 60k, but the tax for the 60k income is more like 26%.
- guenthert 3y ago
  Indeed. Thanks for clarifying. If you're single and earn well, you still might take home only about 60% due to mandatory health and social insurance contributions. Details vary, following calculator looks promising: https://www.nettolohn.de/ https://www.nettolohn.de/

mfalcao 3y ago

Interesting. Does the state charge for the collection service? And what if you declare yourself a member of the church but do not want to contribute - can you opt out or do you just have to lie?

guenthert 3y ago
> Does the state charge for the collection service? I have no idea. I'd think that's something to be negotiated between church and state. > And what if you declare yourself a member of the church but do not want to contribute - can you opt out or do you just have to lie? If you tell the state that you're member of either of those two religions, you have to pay the tax. Tax evasion is taken seriously in Germany. If you lie to the state, it's out of the picture. And no church will check your tax record when you go there to pray. They might refuse other services like marriage etc. if you're not declared member. Most people though are either fond of their church and more or less gladly give or just exit. A good share of people living in Germany don't belong to any religion.

deleted 3y ago

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blackmoon42 3y ago

But the 42% is the max tax-rate. As the tax itself is increasing dynamically, you are paying less for the income before the limit. So the average tax for your income is usually lower. For example: A single will pay 42% for income above 60k, but the tax for the 60k income is more like 26%.

guenthert 3y ago
Indeed. Thanks for clarifying. If you're single and earn well, you still might take home only about 60% due to mandatory health and social insurance contributions. Details vary, following calculator looks promising: https://www.nettolohn.de/ https://www.nettolohn.de/