Can I determine the tax class of my spouse if we are assessed jointly?
July 8, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Peters
Dear tax advisor,
My name is Alexander Schönecker and I have a question regarding the tax classes of my spouse. We are jointly assessed and so far my spouse has been classified in tax class III and I in tax class V. Now I am wondering if it is possible to change the tax class of my spouse in order to obtain tax advantages.
We are both employed and have a child together. Since my income is higher than that of my spouse, I have been classified in tax class V so far. However, I have heard that under certain circumstances it is possible to change the tax class of the spouse to achieve a lower tax burden. Since we both would like to be in a better financial position and optimize our tax burden, I am wondering if this could also be a sensible option for us.
I am worried that we may be giving away money by not choosing the optimal tax classes. Therefore, it is important for us to know if it is possible in our situation to change the tax class of my spouse and how we should proceed. Are there specific requirements that must be met in order to change the tax class? What would be the implications of changing the tax class on our financial situation?
I would be very grateful if you could assist me with this and provide possible solutions.
Best regards,
Alexander Schönecker
Dear Mr. Schönecker,
Thank you for your question regarding the tax classes of your spouse. It is indeed possible to change the tax class of your spouse in order to obtain tax benefits. In your case, where your income is higher than that of your spouse and you are currently classified in tax classes V and III, changing the tax class could be a sensible way to optimize your tax burden.
In order to change the tax class of your spouse, certain conditions must be met. In general, it is possible to change the tax class during the year if personal circumstances change. These circumstances may include marriage, birth of a child, or even separation or divorce. Since you mentioned that you have a child together, this could be a way to change the tax class.
If you choose the combination IV/IV, the tax benefits will be taken into account in the current year. The tax office will consider your income situation and adjust the tax prepayments accordingly. This can result in more net income available to you on a monthly basis. However, it is important to note that choosing the tax class IV/IV often leads to a higher tax refund, as the tax class combination III/V usually results in a higher joint tax refund.
It is advisable to seek advice from a tax advisor to find the optimal tax class combination for your individual situation. A tax advisor can help you calculate the tax implications of changing the tax class and find the best solution for you.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Peters
