German Tax Class Calculator 2026
All 6 tax classes compared – and for married couples: 3/5 or 4/4?
Your details
Net by tax class
Tax class 1
€2,605.50
Tax class 2
€2,711.67
Tax class 3
€2,928.17highest net
Tax class 4
€2,605.50
Tax class 5
€2,185.09
Tax class 6
€2,140.75
Assumptions: public health insurance (2.9 %), no children, no church tax. You cannot freely choose your tax class – it follows from your life situation.
Choosing the right German tax class
Germany's six tax classes (Steuerklassen) decide how much income tax is withheld from your monthly payslip. Singles get class 1, single parents class 2, second jobs class 6 – but married couples can choose between 4/4, 3/5 and the factor method, and the choice affects monthly cash flow and wage replacement benefits. This calculator shows a salary in all six classes and compares both couple combinations directly. For the full background, read our guide to German tax classes.
FAQ: German tax classes
When is the 3/5 tax class combination worth it?⌄
As a rule of thumb: when one spouse earns at least 60 % of the combined gross income. The higher earner takes class 3 (low withholding), the other class 5 (high withholding). The couple keeps more cash each month – but the final annual tax stays the same.
Does my tax class change how much tax I pay in total?⌄
No. The tax class only controls the monthly withholding – a form of prepayment. The actual tax liability is computed with the annual tax return and is identical for every combination. 3/5 often leads to back payments, 4/4 more often to refunds.
How do I change my tax class in Germany?⌄
Married couples file the form "Antrag auf Steuerklassenwechsel bei Ehegatten" with their local tax office (Finanzamt), also possible online via ELSTER. Since 2020, couples may switch several times per year; the change takes effect the following month.
Why does the tax class matter for parental and unemployment benefits?⌄
Wage replacement benefits – parental allowance (Elterngeld), unemployment benefit (ALG I), sickness and short-time work benefits – are calculated from your net salary. Switching to a more favorable class in time (for Elterngeld: at least 7 months before maternity leave) permanently increases the benefit.
What is tax class 4 with factor?⌄
The factor method distributes the withholding between both partners in proportion to their actual share of the joint annual tax. It avoids the typical 3/5 back payments and is considered fairer; Germany plans to replace the 3/5 combination with this method in the medium term.
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