Fifth rule (Fünftelregelung) — what does spreading actually save?
The fifth rule taxes one fifth of the extraordinary income and multiplies the extra tax by five: the saving comes solely from the curvature of the tariff, and is exactly zero in the proportional band.
2026 rules — verified on September 21, 2026Free, no account
Your result
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Sources and assumptions
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 1 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « bis 12 348 Euro (Grundfreibetrag): 0; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 12 349 Euro bis 17 799 Euro: (914,51 • y + 1 400) • y; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 12 349 Euro bis 17 799 Euro: (914,51 • y + 1 400) • y; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 2 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 12 349 Euro bis 17 799 Euro: (914,51 • y + 1 400) • y; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 17 800 Euro bis 69 878 Euro: (173,10 • z + 2 397) • z + 1 034,87; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 17 800 Euro bis 69 878 Euro: (173,10 • z + 2 397) • z + 1 034,87; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 17 800 Euro bis 69 878 Euro: (173,10 • z + 2 397) • z + 1 034,87; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 17 800 Euro bis 69 878 Euro: (173,10 • z + 2 397) • z + 1 034,87; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 4 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 69 879 Euro bis 277 825 Euro: 0,42 • x – 11 135,63; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 4 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 69 879 Euro bis 277 825 Euro: 0,42 • x – 11 135,63; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 4 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 69 879 Euro bis 277 825 Euro: 0,42 • x – 11 135,63; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 5 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 277 826 Euro an: 0,45 • x – 19 470,38. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 32a Abs. 1 Satz 2 Nr. 5 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von 277 826 Euro an: 0,45 • x – 19 470,38. »
Calculation assumptions
- Excludes the reduced rate of § 34 (3) of the Income Tax Act (56 per cent of the average rate, at least 14 per cent, capped at 5 million euros), which requires the taxpayer to be 55 and may be claimed only once in a lifetime.
- Excludes income subject to the progression proviso of § 32b, which changes the average rate.
- Excludes the solidarity surcharge and church tax, which are separate levies assessed on this result.
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This result is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised tax advice. Check your situation with the tax authorities or a professional.