freebirdcapitalThe US withholds 15 % tax on dividends (with form W-8BEN). Germany credits this tax — but only to the extent that German flat-rate tax (Abgeltungsteuer) is due on the income at all. Income exempted by the saver's allowance cannot absorb withholding tax: it is lost at year-end.
Income per year
Settings
| Calculation | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total capital income | |
| less saver's allowance (used) | |
| Taxable capital income | |
| Creditable withholding tax (max. 15 % of US dividends) | |
| Flat-rate tax after credit | |
| Solidarity surcharge · church tax | |
| Total taxes (US + Germany) |
–
Simplified annual calculation under § 32d of the German Income Tax Act: flat-rate tax = (taxable income − 4 × creditable withholding tax) ÷ (4 + church tax rate), not below zero; solidarity surcharge 5.5 %. The custodian bank keeps a withholding-tax pot that is offset within the calendar year and expires at year-end. Not included: loss pots, partial exemption of funds, favourable-rate assessment. Without W-8BEN the US withholds 30 %; 15 % remains creditable, the rest can only be recovered via a US tax return.
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