Apply for a change of tax class during marriage or civil partnership
Unfortunately this specification of service has not yet been completely translated.
Als Ehepartnerin und -partner sowie als Lebenspartnerin und -partner stehen Ihnen drei mögliche Steuerklassenkombinationen zur Verfügung. Aus diesen können Sie frei wählen.
The amount of income tax that is withheld from your wages depends on the tax class. If you and your spouse or partner (hereinafter for both: partner) do not live separately, you can choose between the following tax class combinations:
In order to change your tax class, you must always submit a joint application to your local tax office. This also applies to a new assignment to tax classes III and V. You can apply for a tax class change in the following cases, for example: You or your partner
Note: Since the law introducing the right to marry for people of the same sex came into force on October 1, 2017, no new civil partnerships can be established in Germany. Since then, same-sex couples have been able to marry each other and are therefore treated equally to opposite-sex couples. Existing civil partnerships can be converted into a marriage. However, there is no obligation to do so. Already existing civil partnerships can be continued in the previous form.
- IV/IV,
- III/V or
- Tax class IV with factor.
In order to change your tax class, you must always submit a joint application to your local tax office. This also applies to a new assignment to tax classes III and V. You can apply for a tax class change in the following cases, for example: You or your partner
- no longer receive wages or
- return to work after being unemployed.
Note: Since the law introducing the right to marry for people of the same sex came into force on October 1, 2017, no new civil partnerships can be established in Germany. Since then, same-sex couples have been able to marry each other and are therefore treated equally to opposite-sex couples. Existing civil partnerships can be converted into a marriage. However, there is no obligation to do so. Already existing civil partnerships can be continued in the previous form.
- Form "Declaration of permanent separation" with tax identification number and the signature of a spouse/partner
- Form “Declaration on the resumption of marital/civil partnership” with tax identification number and signature of both spouses/civil partners
Preconditions
There must be an intact marriage or civil partnership so that you can choose between several tax class combinations. Permanent separation terminates the requirements.
Hints
- Hamburg citizens can contact any regional tax office in Hamburg for ELStAM matters.
- The registration offices are responsible for changing the civil status data in the register (e.g. marriage, establishing a civil partnership, birth).
Related Links
-
Leaflet on tax class selection 2022
-
ELStAM, general information on tax classes and combinations
-
ELStAM, employee, first change after marriage or establishment of a civil partnership
-
ELStAM, employee, factor method
If you and your partner would like to change tax class, declare permanent separation, or want to resume marital/civil partnership, you must submit an application to the tax office:
You can apply for a tax class change online and barrier-free via MEIN ELSTER. ELSTER is a platform-independent access to the electronic services of the tax administration. In a first stage, only the offering or receipt of applications/declarations from persons with unlimited tax liability is covered.
You need a certificate for electronic authenticated transmission. You will receive this after your registration on ELSTER. Please note that the registration process can take up to 2 weeks.
Alternatively, you can select the appropriate application form in the form management system of the Federal Finance Administration in the "Tax forms" area under "Income tax (employees)":
Complete the application or declaration on an electronic device or print it out by hand. You and your partner must sign the application or declaration.
Send the documents by post to your local tax office.
You can apply for a tax class change online and barrier-free via MEIN ELSTER. ELSTER is a platform-independent access to the electronic services of the tax administration. In a first stage, only the offering or receipt of applications/declarations from persons with unlimited tax liability is covered.
You need a certificate for electronic authenticated transmission. You will receive this after your registration on ELSTER. Please note that the registration process can take up to 2 weeks.
Alternatively, you can select the appropriate application form in the form management system of the Federal Finance Administration in the "Tax forms" area under "Income tax (employees)":
- "Application for a change of tax class"
- Declaration of permanent separation
- Statement of Resumption of Marital / Civil Partnership
Complete the application or declaration on an electronic device or print it out by hand. You and your partner must sign the application or declaration.
Send the documents by post to your local tax office.
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