Resident Tax Information
Germany is one of the most taxation heavy countries in Europe. All resident individuals are taxed on their worldwide income, but non- residents only pay when they make money there which makes it easier for them, since most people don't know how much taxes apply to specific types or sources. Employers will also be collecting that tax from employees'checks along with any other social security payments like unemployment insurance premiums.
Taxable income in Germany covers the income an individual earns from the following categories:
- Other income (as defined by tax law)
The tax system in Germany is progressive, meaning that as employee's income increases so does the percentage of it which must be paid. The taxable income and the income tax rates are as below
* Progressive tax rates start at 14% and rise to 42%.
Social Security
Social security in Germany is known as the Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) and is codified as the "Social Code."
The German social security contains 8 main parts that include:
- SGB II[1] – Unemployment insurance
- SGB VI[4] – Old age, orphans, widow's/ widower, and disability pension insurance
- SGB XI[8] – Social care
- SGB III[2] – Public employment agencies
- SGB VII[5] and IX[6] – Invalidity insurance
- SGB V[3] – Health insurance
- SGB VIII[7] – Child support
Unemployment benefits
The unemployment benefit in Germany is alternatively known as the unemployment insurance
Statutory Benefits
The employee benefits that an employer must provide their employees in Germany include unemployment insurance, retirement and healthcare.
*Depending on the provider selected, the supplemental premium can be up to an additional 2.5% (average 1.3%), split equally between employer and employee contribution.
*The above rates serve as a broad guideline. Actual rates charged will differ.
Fringe Benefits
In Germany, fringes benefits are given to employees. These can be either monetary or non-monetary depending on the business requirements and budgets set for providing them as well as what goals one might want their company reach through this practice of offering perks that help attract quality staff members who will work hard towards achieving those objectives.
Commonly provided fringe benefits include
- Fringe Benefits
- Childcare allowances
- Flexible working hours
- Gym
allowances
- Additional annual leaves
- 13th-month pay or Christmas bonus
- Employee product discounts
- Lunch allowances or meal vouchers
- Company transportation
- Additional annual leaves
- General wellness benefits
Exempt Benefits
The exempt benefits include
Long-term Incentives
Long-term incentives are a great way to incentivize and empower employees. They provide the employee with long term growth, while providing company stability in return for their hard work!
In Germany specifically, there is one form that employers use more than others: stock options or restricted stocks which allow workers some degree of ownership rights over shares they may eventually sell off after holding them throughout an entire career (3 - 5 years).