Gross, net and your payslip explained
Why the number in your contract is not the number in your account, and how tax classes change it.
Intermediate7 min readLast updated: 2026-07-14Available in EN · DE
This guide is being written and reviewed. The outline below shows what it will cover.
On this page
- Income tax, solidarity surcharge and church tax
- The four social insurance contributions
- Tax classes and when to change them
- Reading each line of the payslip
- The annual tax return and typical deductions
Rules, fees and processing times differ between federal states and municipalities and can change. Always confirm details with the responsible office before you act.