Does the progression clause really have something to do with the tax class? I mean, the tax rate my wife and I have to pay also has nothing to do with the tax classes, right? If I'm wrong, which combination would have been the right one?
I still don't understand it, if your wife has 1500 net, the taxes are already deducted. Okay, with the tax return there's of course the final settlement - I assume you pay at least the 42% rate (why is it still called the top tax rate..).
After setting our KiTa contribution, I complained to the local district office.. they're not functioning properly; money is available for every "nonsense," but not for the care of the children of "diligent taxpayers." Of course, it didn't help except that I got my frustration off my chest.
I can't explain it to you in detail. We had a conversation with our tax advisor about marriage 4 weeks ago.
It makes a huge difference which tax class you are in when the spouses earn very differently.
In other words, as soon as you know you're pregnant, you change the tax class so that you get more net income and thus can receive more parental allowance (provided this is not eaten up by the husband's higher taxes). Once the child is born, you change back so that the husband is in the lower tax class and the progression clause doesn't hit so hard.
He once calculated it for us. Since we both earn quite similarly, it would maybe make 2000 euros difference for us. But hey, better to have than not.