1. Copy the figures
Enter the nine known amounts on your monthly payslip. If a deduction is genuinely absent, enter 0.00 for that deduction.
Understand your German payslip
Understand gross pay, net pay, tax and social deductions on a German payslip. Enter known monthly figures or load an example, without uploading a document.
GermanyGerman tax rules
2026 rulesFor the 2026 tax year
Clear explanationsUnderstand payslip figures
Free to useNo sign-up needed
Important for checking your figures
Total gross, taxable gross and social-insurance gross can differ. Net pay and Amount paid out are not always the same. This tool explains entered figures and checks simple subtraction only — not a complete payslip audit.
More notes and limits
Total gross, wage-tax gross and social-insurance gross may differ. The Net pay is not always the Amount paid out shown on your bank account, for example because of advances, non-cash benefits or other deductions.
This explainer is for ordinary monthly payslips with statutory social insurance in the 2026 model year. It explains the entered lines and checks simple subtractiononly; it does not create or fully validate a payslip. Minijobs, private health insurance, special payments and additional care-insurance child discounts are not fully covered.
Enter 0.00 for a deduction that is genuinely absent. Copy gross and net pay from your payslip rather than guessing. The preset 2.9% additional contribution is the 2026 average; your insurer's actual rate may differ.
How to read a payslip: three steps
2. Understand the abbreviations
RV means pension insurance, ALV unemployment insurance, KV health insurance and PV long-term care insurance. Wage tax, Soli and church tax (where applicable) are separate tax lines.
3. Interpret the comparison correctly
Compare the calculated amount with the net shown on your payslip. A difference may mean other items are present; a match does not confirm tax correctness. Check the actual amount paid out separately.
Frequently asked questions about German payslips
What is the difference between gross pay, net pay and the amount paid out?
Gross pay is before deductions. Net pay is the payslip result after selected deductions. The amount transferred to your account can differ due to advances, non-cash benefits or other adjustments.
What do RV, ALV, KV and PV mean?
These are employee contributions to pension, unemployment, health and long-term care insurance. Contributions depend on the relevant earnings and personal circumstances.
Why are Soli or church tax shown as €0.00?
The solidarity surcharge has an exemption threshold. Church tax only applies in relevant circumstances. This tool uses your payslip amounts and does not recalculate taxes.
What does a difference in the net-pay check mean?
Simple subtraction uses only the deductions you enter. Other payslip items or different gross calculation bases can explain a difference. The amount is neither back pay nor a tax refund.
What if there is another line or a special payment?
You can name an unknown item, but the tool does not interpret it. Special payments, private health insurance and complex payslips are outside this model. Ask payroll or a qualified adviser to clarify them.
Official sources and more help
The required information on a German payslip is governed by §108 GewO and the German Payslip Regulation (Entgeltbescheinigungsverordnung). For contributions and thresholds, see German Pension Insurance and the Federal Health Ministry. The BMF wage-tax calculator is about wage tax, not your full net payslip.
§35a tradesperson relief applies through annual income tax, not as an addition to monthly wages. §35a Tradesperson Invoice Splitter · Gross-to-Net Calculator.
Indicative calculation. Not tax advice. Entries are processed in your browser; there is no document upload.