Money
Pay, taxes, debt and account protection, transfers, pensions, and financial-advice fees.
13 guides
The essentials, one guide at a time
Salary and tax classYour tax class affects how much wage tax your employer withholds each month. It does not determine your final income tax for the year.Steuerklasse
File the income-tax returnWage tax withheld from your pay is not always your final income tax. Find out when an employee must file a return, when filing is voluntary and which deadlines generally apply.Steuererklärung
A SCHUFA recordSCHUFA holds credit information. Learn how to request a free copy of your data, understand the new score and check what a landlord may ask for.SCHUFA
Church taxSome religious communities charge church tax to members using official tax records. The rate and the process for leaving depend on the Land where you live.Kirchensteuer
Freelance taxFreelance profit can be subject to income tax. A small-business VAT exemption may apply, depending on your net domestic turnover and whether this is your first year.Kleinunternehmer
Debt collection and court payment ordersCheck collection demands and respond to court payment orders in time.Inkasso
Financial advice, commissions and feesUnderstand adviser incentives, product costs, and exit terms before signing.Provision
Private liability insurancePrivate liability insurance can cover damage you cause to someone else. It is voluntary and separate from compulsory motor insurance; registering your address does not give you a policy.Privathaftpflicht
Legal-expenses insuranceA legal-expenses policy is voluntary and pays costs within the agreed cover. Ordinary policies generally cover future disputes; limited specialist cover for an existing matter depends on its terms. A policy does not extend an official deadline.Rechtsschutzversicherung
Debt counselling and personal insolvencyPrepare for debt advice and understand the personal-insolvency route.Schuldnerberatung
Sending money abroad safelyCompare the whole transfer cost and check the provider and recipient.Auslandsüberweisung
Company pensions: understand the offer before signingUnderstand an employer pension offer and what changes when you leave the job.betriebliche Altersversorgung
Private retirement products: costs, access and the 2027 reformCheck retirement products, costs, guarantees and exit conditions before signing.private Rentenversicherung