Germany’s tax system covers over 30 different income and deduction categories. This guide organises every topic by who it is most relevant to — so you can go straight to what matters for your situation.
Employees
Employed in Germany — full time, part time or on a work visa
Employee Taxes in Germany
Lohnsteuer, tax classes, Werbungskosten, home office, commuting and your payslip explained in full.
Start here
Health & Disability Deductions
Medical costs, disability allowances and care expenses you can deduct from your taxable income.
Deductions
Household Services & Renovation
Tax credits for cleaners, gardeners, tradespeople and energy renovation — up to €5,200 per year.
Tax credits
Capital Income & Investing
How Germany taxes your savings, ETFs, shares and dividends alongside your salary.
Investing
Students
Studying in Germany — bachelor, master, Ausbildung or language course
Freelancers & Self-Employed
Freiberufler, Gewerbetreibende, consultants, sole traders
Freelancer Taxes in Germany
Freiberufler vs Gewerbe, income tax, trade tax, VAT, advance payments and business expenses.
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Capital Income & Investing
How investment income interacts with your freelance profits and what you must declare.
Investing
Rental Income & Property
If you also own rental property — how rental income combines with freelance profit for tax purposes.
Property
Special Income & Exits
Selling your business, the Fünftelregelung, GmbH exits, stock options and exit tax.
Business exits
Expats & International
Living in Germany with foreign income, assets or ties to another country
German Tax Residency
Are you taxable in Germany? Unlimited vs limited liability, the 183-day rule and worldwide income.
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Cross-Border & Expat Income
Double taxation treaties, foreign income, the exemption and credit methods, and leaving Germany.
International
Capital Income & Investing
Foreign broker accounts, dividend withholding tax and declaring investment income on Anlage KAP.
Investing
Rental Income & Property
Non-resident landlords, German property owned from abroad and the 10-year speculation tax rule.
Property
Pensioners & Retirees
Receiving a German or foreign pension — living in Germany in retirement
Retirement & Pension Taxes
How Germany taxes your state pension, Riester, Rürup and company pension — and when you must file.
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Health & Care Deductions
Medical costs, nursing home fees, disability allowances and the Altersentlastungsbetrag for over-64s.
Deductions
Cross-Border & Expat Income
Receiving a foreign pension while living in Germany — treaty rules and what to declare.
Foreign pension
Capital Income & Investing
Investment income in retirement — the Günstigerprüfung and whether your normal rate beats 25%.
Investing
Families
Parents, single parents, couples with children — German or expat families
Family Taxes & Kindergeld
Kindergeld, Kinderfreibetrag, Ehegattensplitting, single-parent relief and Elterngeld explained.
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Household Services & Renovation
Tax credits for childcare, domestic help and home renovation — up to €5,200 per year.
Tax credits
Health & Care Deductions
Disability allowances for children, care costs and extraordinary medical burdens for families.
Deductions
Student Taxes
When you can still claim Kindergeld for your adult child at university — and what they can deduct.
Adult children
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