How many times can I change tax classes in Germany ?

In most cases, this is only possible once a year. However, it is possible to do this more often in the following cases:

• When your partner is not an employee anymore (becoming a freelancer, retirement, parental leave, unemployment).
• When your partner is an employee again
• When one of the partners passes away
• In case of divorce or separation

What events can be cause of a tax class change?

Very logically, life events that were just previously listed can be cause for change of tax class in Germany; marriage, divorce, death of partner, unemployment, retirement, parental leave, becoming a freelancer.

Can the tax benefit apply retroactively if i change tax classes?

Provided you make the application before 30/11 of that year, you can benefit from that tax cut for the months prior too.

Is worth it for me and my partner to make a change?

Use Finanzamt simulator, Enter both your gross salaries in it, together with your postal code . You will be able to see if it’s worth to make a tax class change in Germany, and who should be on tax class 3.

I just got divorced/separated, what do i do now to change class?

You would use from from Finanzamt to signify the Finanzamt that you are now separated from your partner. The adjustment will be then made automatically after they process this document.