Which tax class is the best for me as a civil servant?
February 14, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Friedhelm Peters
Dear Mr. Schlittmaier,
I am a civil servant and I am faced with the decision of which tax class to classify myself into. So far, I have been in tax class I, as I am single and have no children. However, I am wondering if it would be more beneficial for me as a civil servant to switch to a different tax class in order to take advantage of tax benefits.
My monthly gross salary is 4,500 euros and I have no other income. My wife works part-time and earns 1,500 euros per month. We do not have any children, but we plan to start a family in the future.
My concern is that as a civil servant, I may be missing out on tax benefits in a different tax class that I am not currently utilizing. Therefore, I would like to know from you which tax class would be most suitable for me as a civil servant to minimize my tax burden and take advantage of any potential tax benefits.
Which tax class do you recommend for me as a civil servant and how can I apply for the switch to the recommended tax class? Are there any special considerations to keep in mind or any additional steps required?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Best regards,
Rolf Schlittmaier
Dear Mr. Schlittmaier,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your tax class as a civil servant. As a tax advisor, I can assist you in deciding which tax class you should best be classified in.
As a civil servant, you generally have the choice between tax classes I, II, IV, and V. Tax class I, in which you are currently classified, is intended for single individuals or single parents without children. However, since you plan to start a family in the future, the tax class intended for married couples or registered domestic partners should also be considered.
In your case, since your wife works part-time and earns a monthly income of 1,500 euros, you could benefit from switching to tax class IV. In this tax class, the income of both spouses is jointly assessed, which can often lead to tax advantages, especially when one partner earns significantly more than the other.
Tax class IV is particularly suitable for couples where the income differences are not too large. In your case, it may be advisable to switch to tax class IV to take advantage of tax benefits together. This could result in you having to pay less taxes and minimize your tax burden.
To apply for a switch to tax class IV, you and your wife must submit an informal application to the relevant tax office. It should be noted that the application must be submitted by November 30th of the current year at the latest for the change to take effect from the following year.
It is important that both spouses sign the application and attach all necessary documents to smoothly complete the switch. If you have any further questions regarding tax classes or switching to tax class IV, I am at your disposal.
I hope this information has been helpful to you and wish you success in your decision.
Best regards,
Friedhelm Peters
