In Germany, some religious communities can collect taxes from their members. This is called the church tax (Kirchensteuer). The church tax is 8% of your income tax in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, and 9% in the rest of Germany. For example, if you earn €50,000 a year in Saarbrücken, you would pay around €800 in church tax.
If you are not a member of a church that collects church tax, you do not have to pay this tax. If you are, the only way to stop paying is to leave the church. You declare your religion during the registration.
If you were baptized in your home country, the church can tax you even if you register as an atheist.
ⓘ The following religious communities collect the church tax:
- The Evangelical Church (Evangelische Kirche)
- The Roman Catholic Church (Römisch-katholische Kirche)
- The Jewish Community (Jüdische Gemeinde)
- The Old Catholic Church (Altkatholische Kirche)
- Various free religious communities (Freireligiöse Gemeinden)