How much does a tax clerk earn?
Tax clerks (Steuerfachangestellte) support tax advisers in the firm – from bookkeeping and voucher processing to payroll, VAT advance returns and preparing income-tax filings and annual financial statements. Entry is typically via the three-year dual apprenticeship as Steuerfachangestellter. Gross pay depends on region, firm size, client mix and responsibility. As a guide, qualified staff in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,050–€3,700 gross per month; during apprenticeship around €930–€1,240 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column refers to the dual training as Steuerfachangestellter/-in; qualified means practising tax clerks in tax advisory firms or comparable roles. Actual pay depends on firm size, client structure, region, experience and additional qualifications and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
Tax clerks are the specialist and organisational backbone of the tax firm: they keep the books, prepare returns and meet deadlines. Everyday work combines figure work, software skills and client contact – often under deadline pressure in filing season and with high demands on accuracy and confidentiality.
- Capture vouchers, maintain accounts and prepare ongoing bookkeeping as well as VAT advance returns.
- Prepare payroll, support statutory reporting and answer client queries.
- Prepare income, corporation and trade tax returns as well as annual financial statements and check supporting documents.
- Manage deadlines and follow-ups, handle correspondence with tax offices and maintain digital client files.
- Work with DATEV and other practice software and structure voucher data and reports.
- Uphold data protection and tax secrecy and guide clients clearly through processes and required documents.
