To deduct the maintenance payments, the payer must apply for the deduction, and the recipient must agree and confirm that they will declare the payments for tax purposes. The payer can deduct up to 13.805 Euro annually as special expenses. This maximum amount applies even if maintenance payments are made for only part of the year.
Mr X pays his ex-wife maintenance of 600 Euro per month. His taxable income (zvE) amounts to 40.000 Euro per year.
Income tax without income splitting according to basic rate including solidarity surcharge:
- Income: 40.000 Euro
- Income tax 2025: 7.320 Euro
Income tax with income splitting according to basic rate including solidarity surcharge:
- Income: 40.000 Euro
- less maintenance: 7.200 Euro
- zvE: 32.800 Euro
- Income tax 2025: 5.112 Euro
Tax saving: 7.320 Euro - 5.112 Euro = 2.208 Euro