How much wage tax do I pay on €4,000 gross a month in Germany in 2026?

On €4,000 gross the 2026 German wage tax is €525 in tax class I, €202 in class III, and €945 in class V, before solidarity surcharge and church tax.

What is the difference between wage tax and income tax in Germany?

Wage tax (Lohnsteuer) is an advance payment of income tax withheld by the employer each month. It is calculated against the same tariff. The annual income tax return either refunds any overpayment or bills any shortfall.

Does this table include the solidarity surcharge?

Yes. The table shows wage tax, solidarity surcharge (applicable above the 2026 exemption threshold) and optional church tax (8% in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, 9% elsewhere) separately for each tax class.

German Wage Tax Table 2026: All Tax Classes (Monthly)

German wage tax table 2026

On €4,000 gross a month the 2026 German wage tax (Lohnsteuer) is €525 in tax class I, €202 in class III and €945 in class V. Full monthly tables in €50 steps for each class are below.

Monthly wage tax by tax class (in €)

Gross	I	II	III	IV	V	VI
1,000	0	0	0	0	95	112
1,500	9	0	0	9	153	175
2,000	88	18	0	88	298	342
2,500	187	103	0	187	466	510
3,000	293	203	35	293	626	665
3,500	406	311	110	406	779	822
4,000	525	425	202	525	945	989
4,500	650	546	300	650	1,113	1,157
5,000	782	674	402	782	1,280	1,325
6,000	1,074	957	621	1,074	1,624	1,669
7,000	1,430	1,301	880	1,430	2,005	2,050
8,000	1,810	1,676	1,155	1,810	2,386	2,430
10,000	2,633	2,498	1,809	2,633	3,209	3,253

Tables by tax class

Where the figures come from

Every amount comes from the official 2026 program of the Federal Ministry of Finance that all German payroll software must follow; our wage tax core matches the BMF tax calculator interface to the cent. The tables assume the general case for an employee in social insurance: statutory health insurance with a 2.9% surcharge, childless from 23 (class II with one child) and no child allowances.

The solidarity surcharge only applies once the annual wage tax is above the €20,350 exemption limit, so most employees do not pay it. Church tax is 8% of the wage tax in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and 9% in the other states.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my payslip differ from the table?

A different insurer surcharge, private health insurance, child allowances or a registered tax allowance all change the wage tax. Your exact figures are in the Germany salary calculator.

Can I download the table?

Yes, all six classes as a CSV file under CC BY 4.0.

Which tax class am I in?

It depends on your marital status and income. Couples can find the best combination with the tax class calculator.

Sources: BMF Programmablaufplan for wage tax 2026, Section 32a EStG, Solidarity Surcharge Act. Updated 2026-11-04.