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Salary After Tax · Updated June 2026

US–Germany Double Taxation Calculator

Germany taxes residents at up to 45% plus social charges; the US taxes citizens regardless of residence. The 1989 treaty plus the Foreign Tax Credit reconcile them: German tax (~38% effective at $100k) exceeds US tax (~17% effective), so the FTC drives the US bill to zero for nearly all salaried expats.

The exceptions are the planning surface: US-source investment income (taxed by the US first, credited in Germany), Roth accounts (Germany doesn't recognise the wrapper), and NIIT (3.8% on investment income – not creditable with foreign taxes for most cases).

Salary after tax calculator · 2026

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Where every dollar goes

    2026 rules: federal brackets, $16,100/$32,200 standard deductions, $184,500 SS wage base. Hourly figures assume 40 h/week × 52. Non-US figures are planning estimates incl. employee social charges.

    Key insights

    Key insights

    • German effective rates > US rates → FTC zeroes US salary tax.
    • Residual US tax: NIIT, US-source income, timing mismatches.
    • Roth wrappers aren't recognised by Germany – plan before moving.
    • Church tax is real (8–9% of income tax) and non-creditable.
    • Excess FTC carries forward 10 years.

    Where double taxation actually survives

    Real residual cases: NIIT on portfolio income; US tax on gains from US property; German church tax (not creditable in the US); and timing mismatches when bonuses/equity span the move year. Each is manageable, none is the mythical "taxed twice on salary".

    Filing order: German return (deadline July 31, extendable), then US return (auto-extension to June 15 abroad) claiming Form 1116 credits using the German assessment. Keep the Steuerbescheid – it is your credit evidence.

    FAQ

    Frequently asked questions

    Will I be double-taxed working in Germany?

    On salary, effectively never: German tax exceeds US tax, and the FTC eliminates the US bill with credit to spare. Residual exposure concentrates in investment income and benefit-plan mismatches.

    How does the treaty help?

    It assigns taxing rights (employment income to residence country), caps withholding on dividends/interest, and provides tie-breakers for dual residency – the FTC then executes the relief on the US side.

    What is the German church tax issue?

    Registering as church-affiliated triggers an 8–9% surcharge on income tax that the IRS does not credit. Formal deregistration (Kirchenaustritt) is the standard expat move.

    Are 401(k)s and Roths recognised?

    Traditional 401(k)/IRA: treaty-protected for deferral. Roth: Germany may tax growth/distributions as ordinary investment income – convert or restructure before becoming German-resident.

    What about the 3.8% NIIT?

    It applies above $200k MAGI and foreign tax credits generally cannot offset it – the most common true double-tax residue for high-earning expats in Germany.

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