Glossary · Wage tax

Lohnsteuer

Income tax withheld by your employer from your salary and paid directly to the tax office.

Lohnsteuer is not a separate tax but a prepayment of your income tax. It is calculated from your tax class and salary.

At year end your employer issues an annual wage tax statement (Lohnsteuerbescheinigung), which you use for the tax return.

General information on German tax law, not advice on your individual case.

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