GermanyAufgabe 291 · People and society
Why do you have to state on your tax return in Germany whether or not you belong to a church? Because …
In the exam (German)
Warum muss man in Deutschland bei der Steuererklärung aufschreiben, ob man zu einer Kirche gehört oder nicht? Weil …
- athere is a church tax that is linked to income tax and wage tax.es eine Kirchensteuer gibt, die an die Einkommen- und Lohnsteuer geknüpft ist.Correct answer
- bthis is important for statistics in Germany.das für die Statistik in Deutschland wichtig ist.
- cyou have to pay more tax if you do not belong to a church.man mehr Steuern zahlen muss, wenn man nicht zu einer Kirche gehört.
- dthe church is responsible for the tax return.die Kirche für die Steuererklärung verantwortlich ist.
Why?
In Germany there is a church tax (Kirchensteuer): members of certain religious communities, for example the Catholic and Protestant churches, pay it in addition. It is 8 per cent (in Bayern and Baden-Württemberg) or 9 per cent (in the other states) of the income tax or wage tax, and the tax office collects it for the churches. Anyone who does not belong to such a community does not pay church tax – so they pay less, not more.
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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People in Germany live by the principle of religious tolerance. What does this mean?Correct answer:Everyone can believe what they want.
Die Menschen in Deutschland leben nach dem Grundsatz der religiösen Toleranz. Was bedeutet das? — Jeder kann glauben, was er möchte.
Aufgabe 293
What is an Easter custom in Germany?Correct answer:painting eggs
Was ist in Deutschland ein Brauch zu Ostern? — Eier bemalen
Aufgabe 294
Pentecost (Pfingsten) is …Correct answer:a Christian holiday.
Pfingsten ist ein … — christlicher Feiertag.
Aufgabe 295
Which religion has shaped European and German culture?Correct answer:Christianity
Welche Religion hat die europäische und deutsche Kultur geprägt? — das Christentum
Source
Questions and options: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Gesamtfragenkatalog for the “Leben in Deutschland” test and the Einbürgerungstest, as of 07.05.2025 (Annex 1 to the Einbürgerungstestverordnung). The English translation and the explanations are ours, written with AI; in the exam the questions are asked in German. The coats of arms, flags and photos come from Wikimedia Commons, the maps and ballot papers are drawn by us – authors and licences are listed under Image credits. This is not a government service.
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