Kirchensteuer (German Church Tax)
Definition
A tax collected by the German government on behalf of recognized religious communities (primarily Catholic and Protestant churches). The rate is 8% of income tax in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and 9% in all other German states. It's automatically deducted from your salary if you're registered as a member of a participating church. You can opt out by formally leaving your church at the local civil court (Amtsgericht).
Example
A church member in Berlin with a €12,000 income tax liability would pay an additional €1,080 in Kirchensteuer (9% × €12,000).
Related Terms
A supplementary tax in Germany originally introduced to fund the costs of German...
A monthly child benefit payment in Germany of €250 per child, regardless of inco...
A consumption tax levied on the value added at each stage of production and dist...