Progression proviso — what does the tax-free benefit really cost?
The benefit stays tax-free but raises the rate on your other income: the extra tax appears only in the assessment and is the most common cause of unexpected back payments.
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. »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 9a Satz 1 Nr. 1 Buchstabe a — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von den Einnahmen aus nichtselbständiger Arbeit vorbehaltlich Buchstabe b: ein Arbeitnehmer-Pauschbetrag von 1 230 Euro; »
- gesetze-im-internet.de — EStG § 9a Satz 1 Nr. 3 — tax year 2026, verified on September 21, 2026
Excerpt from the source : « von den Einnahmen im Sinne des § 22 Nummer 1, 1a und 5: ein Pauschbetrag von insgesamt 102 Euro. »
Calculation assumptions
- Covers only wage-replacement benefits under § 32b (1) no. 1; exempt foreign income under nos. 2 to 5 follows its own rules.
- Excludes extraordinary income, which § 32b (2) no. 2 counts at one fifth only.
- Excludes the solidarity surcharge and church tax, which sit on top of 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.