Taxing Wages 2018

Germany

Abstract

This chapter includes data on the income taxes paid by workers, their social security contributions, the family benefits they receive in the form of cash transfers as well as the social security contributions and payroll taxes paid by their employers. Results reported include the marginal and average tax burden for eight different family types.

Methodological information is available for personal income tax systems, compulsory social security contributions to schemes operated within the government sector, universal cash transfers as well as recent changes in the tax/benefit system. The methodology also includes the parameter values and tax equations underlying the data.

 

 

The national currency is the Euro (EUR). In 2017, EUR 0.89 was equal to USD 1. The average worker earned EUR 49 450 (Secretariat estimate).

1. Personal income tax systems

1.1. Central/federal government income taxes

1.1.1. Tax unit

Spouses may choose between two options: Joint assessment or individual assessment. The vast majority of couples benefits financially from the joint assessment by minimizing the tax burden of the household. The income of dependent children is not assessable with that of the parents. The calculations in this Report are therefore based on the assumption of joint taxation for spouses.

1.1.2.  Tax allowances and tax credits:

1.1.2.1. Standard reliefs and work related expenses

• Basic reliefs: None.

• Standard marital status reliefs: In the case of joint assessment, specific allowances are doubled. The income tax liability for spouses who are assessed jointly is computed as follows:

  • Splitting method:

    • First step: Calculating the tax base: All incomes of the spouses are summed up and the sum is divided by two.

    • Second step: The tax rate is applied to this tax base.

    • Third step: The amount calculated in step 2 is doubled.

  • Results: Given the progressive income taxation the resulting tax liability for the household is lower than the sum of individual taxation. The household as a unit benefits from this solution otherwise both parts of the couple would opt out. Principal and second earners have the same average and marginal income tax rates.

  • The splitting effect decreases by increasing convergence of the incomes of principal earner and the spouse.

• Relief(s) for children: As of 1 January 2017, there are increased tax credits of EUR 2 304 for the first and the second child, of EUR 2 376 for the third child and of EUR 2 676 for the fourth and subsequent children. There is a tax allowance of EUR 2 358 for the subsistence of a child and an additional EUR 1 320 for minding and education or training needs (EUR 3 678). The amount of this allowance is doubled in case of jointly assessed parents. If the value of the tax credit is less than the relief calculated applying the tax allowances, the taxpayer obtains the tax allowance instead of the tax credit. It is also doubled for lone parents in cases where the other parent does not pay alimony. This is the assumption in the calculations presented in this Report.

• Relief for lone parents: As of 1 January 2015, taxpayers who live alone with at least one child that entitles them to the tax allowances or tax credits for children, receive an additional allowance of EUR 1 908 (formerly EUR 1 308). This additional allowance is increased by EUR 240 for each child in case of more than one child living in the household.

• Reliefs for social security contributions and life insurance contributions: Social security contributions and other expenses incurred in provision for the future (e.g. life insurance) are deductible up to specific ceilings. In 2005, a new calculation scheme came into force:

  • Step 1: all contributions made to pension funds (i.e. both employee’s and employer’s contributions) are added up. Step 2: the resulting amount is limited to EUR 20 000. Step 3: a certain percentage is applied to this amount (starting from 60% in 2005, this percentage will be increased by 2 percentage points each year; it will reach 100% in 2025). Step 4: the resulting amount, diminished by the (tax-free) contributions of the employer, is deductible from income.

  • The tax treatment of social security expenses (health, unemployment and care insurance) changed as of 1 January 2010. Employees’ annual contributions to statutory health insurance excluding sickness benefit (assumed to amount to 96% of statutory health contributions) and employees’ contributions to mandatory long-term care insurance are deductible from the tax base. In case these contributions do not exceed EUR 1 900/3 800 (single/married couples), contributions to unemployment insurance and other insurances premiums can be deducted in addition up to this ceiling.

  • If the resulting sum of deductible amounts according the legislation in force since 2005 is lower than the allowance calculated under the scheme that was valid up to 2004, the former regulations are applied in favour of the taxpayer (for more details on the old scheme: see 2005 edition and section 4. of this Report).

• Work related expenses: EUR 1 000 lump sum allowance per gainfully employed person.

• Special expenses: Lump sum allowance (EUR 36/72 (singles/couples)) for special expenses, e.g. for tax accountancy. The actual expenses will be fully deductible from taxable income if the taxpayer proves that these expenses exceed the lump sum allowance.

1.1.2.2. Main non-standard tax reliefs applicable to an AW

• Contributions to pensions, life insurance, superannuation schemes: Other expenses than the compulsory contributions to social security are deductible as reliefs for (voluntary) social security contributions up to specific ceilings (see section 1.1.2.1.).

• Medical expenses: Partially deductible if not covered by insurance.

• Other: Work related expenses that exceed the lump-sum allowance are fully deductible (no ceiling).

1.1.3. Tax schedule

The German tax schedule is formula based. Taxable income is rounded down (to the EUR).

• X is the taxable income,

• T is the income tax liability,

• As of 1 January 2017 the following definitions are used in the income tax liability formulas:

  

  

The income tax liability (amounts in EUR) is calculated as follows:

These formulas are used to calculate the income tax for single individuals and married couples too.

If families choose the option of being assessed separately these formulas are applied to the individual taxable income of the principal earner and the spouse. In the case of jointly assessed families these rates are applied to half of the joint taxable income (see point 1.1.2.1. Splitting method).

1.1.4. Solidarity surcharge

The solidarity surcharge is levied at 5.5% of the income tax liability subject to an exemption limit of EUR 972/1 944 (singles/couples). The income tax liability is calculated applying the tax allowance for children. If the income tax liability exceeds the exemption limit, the solidarity surcharge will be phased in at a higher rate of 20% of the difference between the income tax liability and the exemption limit until it equals 5.5% of the total liability.

1.2. State and local income taxes

None.

2. Compulsory social security contributions to schemes operated within the government sector

The amount of social security contributions depends on the wage and the insurance contribution rate. All contributions are subject to a contribution ceiling, i.e. the maximum income for which statutory insurance contributions are calculated. The contribution rates for pension, health, care and unemployment insurances are fixed by the government.

2.1. Employees’ contributions

In general, earnings up to EUR 4 800 per year were free of employee social security contributions until 31 December 2012. As of 1 January 2013, some essential changes came into effect concerning minimally paid employment. The earnings limit increased from EUR 400 to EUR 450 per month. Persons whose mini-job started before 2013 and do not exceed the previous earnings limit of EUR 400 stay contribution-free in all classes of social insurance. Otherwise, persons who take up a new mini-job are generally subject to mandatory insurance coverage in the statutory pension scheme with the full pension contribution rate of 18.7% (in 2016). If the earnings are below the amount of EUR 175 (minimum contribution limit), a minimum contribution of EUR 32.73 has to be paid (18.7% of EUR 175). The employer’s share amounts to 15% of the whole pay whereas the employee’s part adds up to 3.7% (or the difference between minimum contribution and employer share). By applying for an exemption from obligatory insurance coverage the mini-job holder may reduce his share to EUR 0.

As of 1 April 2003, there was an additional concession for employees with monthly income between EUR 400.01 and EUR 800 per month (the so-called “sliding pay scale”, EUR 4 800.12 and EUR 9 600 per year). Due to the new regulations mentioned above the earnings limits shifted to EUR 450.01 and EUR 850.00 per month (EUR 5 400.12 and EUR 10 200 per year). If the employee’s income falls within this range, part of the income will be exempt from social insurance contributions. However, employers are still required to pay the regular contributions on the employee’s earnings. The arrangement is purely intended to relieve the financial burden on employees. The employees’ contributions to social insurance rise on a straight-line basis over the income band reaching the full rate at EUR 850 per month. Details on social security contributions for workers earning more than EUR 10 200 per year are provided below.

2.1.1. Pensions

Employers and employees pay each half of the contribution rate of 18.7% in 2017, that is 9.35% of the employee’s gross wage earnings, up to a contribution ceiling of EUR 76 200.

2.1.2. Sickness

As of 1 January 2015, the applicable contribution rate is 14.6% on principle (portion of 7.3% for employers and employees). Depending on the financial situation of each sickness fund, employees are obliged to pay a supplementary contribution to the sickness fund. In 2017, this supplementary contribution amounts to 1.1% on average. Therefore, the contribution rate averages 8.4% for employees in 2017. The contribution ceiling in 2017 is EUR 52 200. While all calculations shown in this Report assume membership in the public health insurance, workers with earnings above the contribution ceiling may opt out of the mandatory public health insurance system and may choose a private insurance provider instead (those opting for a private health insurance provider are required to obtain private long-term care insurance as well).

2.1.3. Unemployment

Employees pay half of the insurance contributions; the employer pays the other half. In 2017, the contribution rate is 3.0% of assessable income. Employee and employer each pay 1.5%. The contribution ceiling is EUR 76 200.

2.1.4. Care

A long-term care insurance (a 1% contribution rate) went into effect on 1 January 1995. The rate was raised to 1.7% of the gross wage when home nursing care benefits were added six months later. As of 1 July 2008, the rate was increased to 1.95%. In 2013 and 2014, the contribution rate amounted to 2.05%. In 2015 and 2016, the contribution rate added up to 2.35%. As of 1 January 2017, the contribution rate was augmented to 2.55%. The employers pay half of the contributions for long-term care insurance. In other words, employers and employees both pay a rate of 1.275 %. The assessable income is scaled according to the gross wage earnings but there is a contribution ceiling of EUR 52 200 in 2017.

As from 1 January 2005, child-raising is given special recognition in the law relating to statutory long-term care insurance. Childless contribution payers are required to pay a supplement of 0.25%, raising the contribution rate paid by a childless employee from 0.975% to 1.225% as of 1 July 2008. In 2013 and 2014, the contribution rate of a childless employee added up to 1.275%. In 2015 and 2016, the contribution rate amounted to 1.425% for a childless employee. As of 1 January 2017, the contribution rate was raised to 1.525% for a childless employee.

2.1.5. Work injury

Employer only.

2.1.6. Family allowances

None.

2.1.7. Others

None.

2.2. Employers’ contributions

See Section 2.1.

2.2.1. Pensions, sickness, unemployment, care:

See Section 2.1.

2.2.2. Work injury

Germany has established a statutory occupational accident insurance. It is provided by industrial, agricultural and public-sector employers’ liability insurance funds. This insurance protects employees and their families against the consequences of accidents at work and occupational illnesses. It is funded through the contributions paid by employers only. The amount of the employer’s contributions depends on the sum total of employee’s annual pay and the employer’s respective hazard level. As it is not possible to identify a representative contribution rate, these amounts are not considered in this Report.

2.2.3. Family allowances

None.

2.2.4. Others

None.

3. Universal cash transfers

3.1. Transfers related to marital status

None.

3.2. Transfers for dependent children

None.

4. Main changes in tax/benefit systems since 1997

The following table shows changes in the tax credit and the tax allowance for children since 1997:

 

Year	Child credit				Child allowance
	First child	Second child	Third child	Fourth and subsequent children
1997	1 350	1 350	1 841	2 147	3 534
1999	1 534	1 534	1 841	2 147	3 534
2000	1 657	1 657	1 841	2 147	5 080
2002	1 848	1 848	1 848	2 148	5 808
2009*	1 968	1 968	2 040	2 340	6 024
2010	2 208	2 208	2 280	2 580	7 008
2015	2 256	2 256	2 328	2 628	7 152
2016	2 280	2 280	2 352	2 652	7 248
2017	2 304	2 304	2 376	2 676	7 356

* plus EUR 100 one-off child credit payment for each child.

Up to 2004, the calculation of the relief for social security contributions and other expenses proceeded in three steps. First, EUR 3 068/6 136 (singles/couples) was deducted. These amounts were, however, lowered by 16% of gross wages (serving as a proxy for employers’ social security contributions). This deduction was provided as a partial compensation for the self-employed who do not receive tax-free employers’ social security contributions. Second, the remaining expenses were deductible up to EUR 1 334/2 668 (singles/couples). Third, half of the remaining expenses were deductible up to EUR 667/1 334 (singles/couples).

In 2004, the tax rate was reduced and the formula for calculating the income tax was changed. The relief for lone parents was reduced to EUR 1 308, the lump sum allowance for work related expenses was reduced to EUR 920.

As from 1 January 2005, the final stage of the 2000-tax reform came into effect. The bottom and top income tax rates were further reduced to 15% and 42%. Since 1998, both the bottom and top income tax rate have been reduced by about 11 percentage points while the personal allowance has been raised from EUR 6 322 to EUR 7 664. The tax cuts reduce the tax burden for all income taxpayers, affording the greatest relief to employees and families with low and medium incomes as well as to small- and medium-sized unincorporated businesses.

On 1 January 2005, the law regulating the taxation of pensions and pension expenses entered into force. The law provides a gradual transition to ex-post taxation of pensions paid by the statutory pensions insurance. In the long run, the tax treatment of capital-based employee pension schemes based on a contract between employer and employee will be reformed in the same way as the tax treatment in respect of the state pension scheme. In addition to the increased deductibility of contributions to the state and certain private pension schemes, the law contains rules which are intended to increase the attractiveness of private capital-based pension schemes and to encourage individuals to invest privately for their old-age pension.

Up to 30 June of 2005, employees paid half of the sickness insurance contributions; the employer paid the other half. As from 1 July 2005, members of the statutory health insurance scheme also pay an income-linked contribution of 0.9% to which employers do not contribute. As from 1 July 2005, all statutory health insurance funds have reduced their contribution rates by 0.9 percentage points.

In 2007, a new top income tax rate of 45% was introduced for taxable income above EUR 250 000 (EUR 500 000 for jointly assessed spouses).

In 2009, the bottom income tax rate was reduced to 14%. The basic allowance was increased to EUR 7 834. All thresholds were increased by EUR 400.

Since 1 January 2010, the basic allowance has been augmented to EUR 8 004 and all thresholds have been increased by EUR 330. Furthermore, new legislation improves the tax treatment of expenditure on health insurance and long-term care insurance. As of 1 January 2013, the basic allowance rose to EUR 8 130. As of 1 January 2014, the basic allowance was increased to EUR 8 354. As of 1 January 2015, the basic allowance amounted to EUR 8 472. The relief for lone parents adds up to EUR 1 908. Lone parents are entitled to an extra allowance of EUR 240 for the second and each subsequent child. Since 1 January 2016, the basic allowance has been risen to EUR 8 652. As of 1 January 2017, the basic allowance was enhanced to EUR 8 820.

5. Memorandum items

5.1. Average gross annual earnings calculation

• Source of calculation: Federal Statistical Office.

• Excluding sickness and unemployment, including normal overtime and bonuses.

5.2. Employer’s contributions to private pension, etc. schemes

No information available, though such schemes do exist.

Germany

2017 parameter values

Average earnings/yr	Ave_earn	49 450	Secretariat estimate
Tax allowances	Child_al	7 356
Lone Parents, first child	Lone_al	1 908
Lone parents, subsequent child	Lone_al_add	240
Work related	Work_rel_al	1 000
SSC allowance	SSC_dn	900
	SSC_dn_rt	0.16
	SSC_dn_lim	1 334
	SSC_dn_lump_rt	0.2
Allow. for special expenses	SE_al	36
Church tax rate	Ch_tax_rt	0
Tax formula	Tax_rate2	0.42
	Tax_rate3	0.45
	Tax_thrsh1	8 820
	Tax_thrsh2	13 769
Top Rate Tax Reduction	Reduction	8 475.44
	Reduction2	16 164.53
Tax Equation Rates
tax_eqn_rates	Squared	Single	Constant
z	223.76	2 397	939.57
y	1 007.27	1 400	0
Income tax rate stage	tax_first_stage	8 820
	tax_second_stage	13 769
	tax_third_stage	54 057
	tax_fourth_stage	256 303
Solidarity Surcharge	surcharge	0.055
Solidarity Exemption Limit	surcharge_limit	972
Alternative Surcharge Rate	surcharge_alt	0.2
Child credit	Ch_cred
	1. ch.	2 304
	2. ch.	2 304
	3.ch.	2 376
	4.ch.	2 676
Social security	Sickness	Pension	Unemploy-ment	Care	Alternative employer rate	SSC Factor F
period_1	12	12	12	12	12	12
period_2	0	0	0	0
sum (Month’s)	12	12	12	12	12	12
employer_1	0.073	0.0935	0.015	0.01275	0.3	0.7509
employer_2	0	0	0	0
employee_1	0.084	0.0935	0.015	0.01275	0.037	0.7509
employee_2	0	0	0	0
childless_1	0.084	0.0935	0.015	0.01525	0.037	0.7509
childless_2	0	0	0	0
ceil	52 200	76 200	76 200	52 200	2 100
SSC Floor	SSC_floor	10 200
Intermediate SSC Ceiling	SSC_floor1	5 400

2017 tax equations

The equations for the German system in 2017 are mostly calculated on a family basis.

The standard functions which are used in the equations are described in the technical note about tax equations. The function acttax carries out a rounded calculation for the tables but the unrounded version purtax is used in calculating the marginal rates.

For a taxpayer with children, either the child allowance is given in the tax calculation or the cash transfer is given if this is more beneficial. In practice, therefore, it is necessary to make two calculations – with and without the child allowance. Nevertheless, the calculation of solidarity surcharge is always based on the calculation which does assume that the child tax allowance is given.

Variable names are defined in the table of parameters above, within the equations table, or are the standard variables “married” and “children”. The affixes “_princ” and “_spouse” on Variable names in functions indicate that the values have to be calculated for the principal and spouse, respectively. The parameter year in function SSC_Allowance is the year for which you calculate the Allowance.

 

	Line in country table and intermediate steps	Variable name	Range	Equation
1.	Earnings	earn
	Quotient for tax calculation	quotient	J	1+Married
2.	Allowances:
	Children	children_al	J	Children*Child_al
	Lone parent	lone_allce	J	Children>0)*(Married=0)*Lone_al+(Children>0)*(Married=0)*(Children-1)*Lone_ al_add
	Soc sec contributions	SSC_al	J	Function: SSC_Allowance(earn_princ, earn_spouse , SSC_princ + SSC_spouse , Quotient, SSC_dn, SSC_dn_rt, SSC_dn_lim, SSC_dn_lump_rt, If(Children>0; "employee"; "childless"), year, rounded)
	Work related	work_al	J	Work_rel_al+MIN(earn_spouse,Work_rel_al)
	Allow. for special expenses	SE_al	J	SE_al*quotient
	Total	tax_al	J	children_al+SSC_al+work_al+ lone_allce + SE_al
3.	Credits in taxable income	taxbl_cr	J	0
4.	CG taxable income	tax_inc	J	earn-tax_al
5.	CG tax before credits
	adjusted taxable income	adj	J	tax_inc/quotient
	Formula based tax schedule	tax_formula	J	Function: acttax(taxinc, rate, reduction, threshold1, threshold2, threshold3, equationrate, tax_first_stage, tax_second_stage, tax_third_stage, tax_fourth_ stage, rate2, reduction2)
	Adjust for the quotient	tax_adj	J	Quotient*tax_formula
	Include solidarity surcharge	sol_surch	J	MIN( tax_adj * surcharge, Positive(tax_adj surcharge_limit*Quotient) * surcharge_ alt)
	Tax paid	CG_tax_excl	J	tax_adj+sol_surch
6.	Tax credits :	tax_cr	J	0
7.	CG tax	CG_tax	J	CG_tax_excl
8.	State and local taxes	local_tax	J	0
9.	Employees’ soc security	SSC	B	Function: SSC (earn_princ, If(Children>0; "employee"; "childless"), rounded) + SSC (earn_spouse, If(Children>0; "employee"; "childless"), rounded)
11.	Cash transfers	Cash_tran	J	Children*ch_cred
13.	Employer’s soc security	SSC_empr	B	Function: SSC (earn_princ, “employer”, rounded) + SSC (earn_spouse, “employer”, rounded)

Key to range of equation

B calculated separately for both principal earner and spouse

P calculated for principal only (value taken as 0 for spouse calculation)

J calculated once only on a joint basis.