Joining/leaving the church

Leaving the church in Hesse must be done with the city or municipality.

Joining or re-joining the church must be declared to the relevant parish.

You declare your withdrawal from the church to your city or parish.

To declare your departure from the church, please bring your identity card or passport or foreign identity card with a confirmation of registration that is not older than 6 months.

Law on the levying of taxes by churches, religious and ideological communities in the State of Hesse (Church Tax Act)

Leaving the church takes effect on the day of the declaration.

The fee for leaving the church is 30.00 euros.

The information required to calculate the tax deduction amounts, including the church tax liability, is only transmitted electronically. Your employer will be informed of the end of your church tax liability by retrieving the electronic wage tax deduction details (ELStAM) transmitted by the city or municipal administration, which are stored at the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). If the tax office has assessed advance payments of church tax for you or if you do not receive income from employment but other income, please submit proof that you have left the church to your local tax office so that church tax is not levied in future.

Please also refer to the information sheet linked below on taking church withdrawal into account when deducting income tax.