Full deduction of pension expenses from 2023

Contributions to the statutory pension insurance and other basic pension schemes are deductible as special expenses (§ 10 para. 1 no. 2a EStG).

Until 2025, pension contributions will gradually reduce taxes, starting at 60% in 2005 and increasing to 100% by 2025 (§ 10 para. 3 EStG).

• 2021: Singles can deduct up to 25,787 Euro (92% tax-reducing).
• 2022: Singles can deduct up to 25,639 Euro (94% tax-reducing).

From 2023, pension contributions are 100% deductible, increased by 4 percentage points in 2023 and 2 percentage points in 2024 (§ 10 para. 3 sentence 6 EStG, "Annual Tax Act 2022").

• 2023: Singles can deduct up to 26,528 Euro (100% tax-reducing).
• 2024: Singles can deduct up to 27,566 Euro (100% tax-reducing).

This change aims to avoid "double taxation" of pensions from basic provision, as determined in Federal Fiscal Court rulings of 19.5.2021 (X R 20/19 and X R 33/19). The BFH confirmed the current pension taxation as constitutional, although future pension years could be affected. The legislative changes are intended to prevent this issue.