If you’re wondering how to save the tax by leaving the church, the good news is that the German bishops’ conference will be meeting with church leavers to discuss their situation. A steady exodus from Protestant churches has occurred in Germany over the past decades, but the reasons aren’t always the same. Many people leave for a variety of reasons, from disagreements with policy to a desire to save money on the church tax. So, if you’d like to save taxes and leave the church, you can apply via kirchenaustritt24.de.

Tax on taxable income

If you are a non-religious person in Germany, you may have to pay the church tax. It is a bureaucratic process that is known as Kirchaustritt. The process can be arranged through the local court, the church, and the Citizens Registration Office. The tax is collected monthly, quarterly, or yearly. If you are considering leaving the church, there are several steps you should take.

The first step is to find out how much church tax you owe. In Germany, the tax is usually 2.75% of taxable income, but it may be higher if you have a high income.

Automatic collection

In Germany, the practice of collecting church tax goes back a long way. In the Middle Ages, church princes used to extract a tithe from peasants, which was a percentage of their income. Nowadays, church tax is collected by the government tax office. Church members are identified by initials that appear on their church tax debits. If you leave the church, you must declare your decision to the local authority. You can find these authorities in cities.

Legalities

In Germany, leaving the church is a legal process. You must be at least 14 years old and hold a valid passport or ID card to be able to opt out. The rules vary according to state, but generally, you must visit the parish or the registry office to explain your reasons for leaving the church. Moreover, you must pay any notary fees.

However, the Church has been classified as a “Tendentious Enterprise” by the German legal system, which allows it to impose certain attitudes as part of its labor law regulations. The church is one of the most conservative political parties in Germany, and if an employee’s political views are in opposition to those of the Christian-Social Union, the church can cancel their contract.

Risk of irritating church members

Leaving the church can be a difficult decision for any Christian. Especially if you are a member of a church with a history of abuse. However, leaving the church is not the only way to show disapproval. Many people choose to opt out of the church for a variety of reasons.

In Germany, the decision to leave the church comes with a risk of irritating some members. Church membership in Germany is largely based on willingness to pay tax, and if you don’t pay, clergy may refuse to perform rites. Since the 1990s, church affiliation in Germany has been declining. However, this hasn’t stopped many believers from leaving the church.

Cost

In Germany, the process of leaving the church is formal and legal. In order to leave, you must be over the age of 14 and have a valid ID or passport. Depending on your state of residence, you may need to visit a local court or registry office to obtain the necessary paperwork. In some states, you must also present a court document or family book to prove your identity. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to leave by signing a document before a notary. This procedure is free, but may take some time.

The German church is facing a crisis of faith and many Germans are choosing to leave the church. A recent scandal exposed the church’s coverup of thousands of cases of sexual abuse. In response to the report, German Cardinal Reinhard Marx offered his resignation. The report revealed that the German Catholic Church covered up 3,677 cases of child abuse between 1946 and 2014. The scandal exposed sexual abuse in Catholic schools, including the abuse of minors, was widely condemned by Germans.