Brutto? Netto? How net and gross impact your income
On the paycheck, all invoices, and your tax return, a distinction is made between gross and net. Many employees notice this difference every month on their bank statement when they realize what is left after income tax and social security contributions.
01.
From gross income to net income
During the negotiations for their job contract, most people try to get a high gross salary. But when they look at their bank statement, they find out that not all the salary is paid out.
Are you employed, unmarried, not in a civil partnership, and earn more than 9,408 euros per year? Then your income is above the basic allowance, and you need to pay taxes.
Your employer subtracts taxes and social security contributions from your earnings to forward it to the relevant offices. This would be the wage or income tax and social security contributions, the solidarity surcharge, and, if applicable, the church tax.
Your social security contributions are also deducted. This includes pension, health, nursing care, and unemployment insurance.
The net salary is the money that ends up in your bank account each month.
Prepare your own tax return
From €39.99
Free until your refund calculation – then from €39.99 for submission.
Receive an advance calculation of your refund and pay only when you turn it in
Guided and intuitive process with simple questions
Automatic data retrieval: simply retrieve your income data from the tax office and have it pre-filled
The general deadline applies (July 31st)
€59.99 for married couples or registered partnerships looking to file a tax return together
Save money and secure exclusive benefits with Taxfix+
Get your tax assessment for free and only pay when you submit your return
Our Expert Service does it for you
From €99.99
20% of your refund (minimum fee: €99.99).
Provide a few necessary documents in minutes
An independent tax advisor will prepare your tax return for you
Personalised document upload: Only submit documents that are completely necessary
Detailed check of your information
Benefit from an extended tax deadline (April 30th, 2026)
Hand over, pay, relax.
02.
What does income mean?
Your gross income
– Income tax (Lohnsteuer): 14-45% The higher the income, the higher the income tax.
– Church tax (Kirchensteuer): 8-9% of the taxable income
– Solidarity surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag): up to 5,5% of the taxable income
– Health insurance contribution (Krankenkassenbeitrag): 7,3% + Additional contribution from earnings
– Nursing care insurance (Pflegeversicherung): 1.525%, 2,025% in Saxony, Possible supplement to earnings
– Unemployment Insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung): 1.25 % of earnings (as of 2019-01-01), 1.2 % as of 2020-01-01
– Pension Insurance (Rentenversicherung): 9,3 % of earnings
= Your net income
Scan your payslip, and you're done!
It's so simple and completely digital: photograph or upload your documents. Taxfix then automatically transfers all important information. Accurately and stress-free!
Start now for free03.
Calculate what you could get back from taxes
Do you want to get a good estimation on how much you’re going to get back from tax office?
Our tax calculator can tell you exactly that!
About Taxfix
With Taxfix, you can complete your tax returns from 2019-2022, in no time at all. No tax knowledge is necessary – simply choose to complete your Taxfix tax return yourself, or have an independent tax advisor do it for you. What are you waiting for?
Start now