49 AM.. This date signifies the point at which, calculated purely on a symbolic basis, individuals begin earning income for their own personal funds, having previously contributed all earnings towards taxes and levies.
The German Taxpayer Institute (DSI) estimates the overall income tax burden for a typical working household will reach 52.9 percent this year. This means that for every Euro earned, 52.9 cents are directed towards the state or public coffers, leaving just 47.1 cents for discretionary spending.
This figure represents a rise of approximately 0.3 percentage points compared to the previous year. Contributing significantly to this increase are rising social security contributions, particularly those for statutory health insurance, which have risen by 0.8 percentage points, from 1.7 percent to 2.5 percent. Contributions to long-term care insurance have also increased by 0.2 percentage points. Energy taxation, including a 22 percent hike in the CO2 tax on fuels, from 33 euros to 55 euros per tonne of emitted CO2, further contribute to the overall strain.
These calculations from the Taxpayer Association are based on comprehensive household surveys conducted by the Federal Statistical Office and reflect a national average across all working household types, including single individuals, families with children and couples. The burden is notably heavier for single workers, facing an average tax rate of 53.8 percent, with their symbolic “Taxpayer’s Remembrance Day” occurring on July 16th. Households with multiple occupants, however, experience a slightly lighter burden of 52.6 percent, with their corresponding date falling on July 11th.