Do I have to change both tax brackets if my spouse and I want to choose a different tax bracket as a couple?
July 15, 2024 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Peters
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Gerda Heck and I am currently a bit confused about tax classes. My husband and I are both currently classified in tax class IV. We are now considering whether it would be beneficial to choose a different tax class in order to take advantage of tax benefits.
Our current situation is as follows: We are both working and earn roughly the same amount. We have no children and no special tax deductions. In recent years, we have found that we often had to pay a high tax bill and would like to avoid this in the future.
My concern now is whether it is sufficient for only one of us to change tax classes or whether we both need to change tax classes in order to benefit from the tax advantages. How can we find out which tax class suits our situation best and how can we make the switch?
Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Gerda Heck
Dear Mrs. Heck,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding tax classes. It is understandable that you are considering ways to take advantage of tax benefits and avoid potential tax repayments. I would be happy to assist you in answering your questions.
In your current situation as a married couple without children and without any special tax deductions, you are classified in tax class IV. This tax class is intended for married couples who earn approximately the same amount. Typically, the tax burden is evenly distributed between both spouses in this tax class.
Now, regarding the question of whether it is sufficient for only one of you to change tax classes or if both should make the change: Generally, spouses can change their tax class independently of each other. However, it is important to note that a change in tax class can have an impact on monthly net income. For example, if one of you switches to tax class III (for the spouse with the higher income), the monthly net income of that spouse will increase, while the other spouse should switch to tax class V (for the spouse with the lower income), which may result in a lower monthly net income.
To determine which tax class best suits your situation, I recommend seeking individual tax advice. A tax advisor can analyze your personal situation and provide recommendations on the optimal tax class for you to take advantage of tax benefits and avoid tax repayments. Typically, the change of tax class can be done once a year and must be requested from the relevant tax office.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions. Thank you for your trust and inquiry.
Sincerely,
Friedhelm Peters
