Understanding Church Tax in Germany
Learn about Kirchensteuer, calculate your contribution, and understand how it supports religious communities
Church tax rate: 8%
Enter your annual income tax amount (not your income)
What is Church Tax?
Church tax (Kirchensteuer) in Germany is a tax collected by the state on behalf of religious communities that have the status of a public law corporation. It's paid by members of these religious communities and is used to finance church activities, maintain buildings, and support social services.
Church Tax Explained Simply
If you're registered as a member of a recognized church in Germany, you pay church tax. It's that simple. This tax is collected by the government through the tax system and then distributed to the religious communities.
Key Facts:
- Church tax is typically 8-9% of your income tax (not your total income)
- It varies by federal state (Bundesland)
- It's automatically deducted from your salary if you're employed
- It's tax-deductible as a special expense
- You only pay if you're officially registered as a member of a church
Example:
If your annual income tax is €5,000 and the church tax rate in your state is 9%, you would pay €450 per year in church tax.
Quick Facts
- Church tax is 8-9% of your income tax
- Automatically deducted from your salary
- Fully tax-deductible
- Only paid by registered church members
- Supports social services and cultural heritage
Church Tax Rates by State
Need Help?
If you have specific questions about your church tax situation, consider consulting with:
- A tax advisor (Steuerberater)
- Your local tax office (Finanzamt)
- Your religious community's administration