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Mahdi Barzkar
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Salary & tax · Marriage and partnership
Tax class calculator: IV/IV, III/V or V/III?
Which tax class combination gives you more net pay during the year as a married couple or registered partners? The calculator compares all three options with the 2026 values.
Result
- Joint net pay with IV/IV
- Joint net pay with III/V (person 1 in III)
- Joint net pay with V/III (person 2 in III)
- Highest monthly net pay with
- Of which person 1
- Of which person 2
- More net pay per month than IV/IV
- More net pay per year than IV/IV
The results are non-binding estimates for guidance only and do not replace tax, legal or investment advice. What counts are your payslip, your tax assessment (Steuerbescheid) and the terms of your contracts.
What the tax class changes – and what it does not
Tax classes only determine how much wage tax is withheld during the year. The couple's actual income tax results from the joint assessment and is the same for every combination. III/V can lead to a back payment, and couples who choose III/V must file a tax return.
With IV/IV, each person has roughly the tax withheld that relates to their own income. The factor method (IV/IV with factor) splits the tax even more precisely by income.
- Income replacement benefits such as parental allowance (Elterngeld), unemployment benefit and sickness benefit depend on net pay. A more favourable tax class before parental leave or unemployment can increase them; deadlines apply.
- The calculator uses the same rules as the gross to net calculator 2026: statutory health insurance, compulsory pension insurance, no allowances.
Frequently asked questions
How often can we change tax classes?
Married couples can generally change their tax class combination once a year at the tax office, also online via ELSTER. Further changes are possible in certain cases, for example separation or death.
Is III/V always better with different incomes?
It usually gives more monthly net pay, but not less tax over the year. Couples who want to avoid back payments choose IV/IV or the factor method.
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