Schlager star Matthias Reim paid 35,000 euros in back taxes

German singer Matthias Reim was required to pay 35,000 euros in back taxes due to a delayed notification of his separation from his wife, Sarah Stanek.

Although Reim and Stanek officially divorced in 2017, their physical separation began earlier. Reim did not inform the tax office of their permanent separation promptly. This oversight meant he continued to benefit from the more favorable tax class for married couples, rather than being reassigned to the single taxpayer class.

The trigger for the separation was a photograph published in 2013 showing Reim with his now-wife, Christin Stark. Following the publication, Reim definitively separated from Stanek, who moved out of his villa while Stark moved in. The tax authorities used the published article as evidence of Reim's non-cohabitation with his wife, leading to the reassessment and the demand for back taxes.

Reim confirmed the tax office's claim was valid. "Unfortunately, the tax office was right," he admitted. He explained that a definitive separation results in reverting to the higher single taxpayer class, even if the divorce is not yet finalized. The subsequent recalculation by the tax office resulted in the 35,000 euro payment.

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Unfortunately, the tax office was right. Because with a final separation, you fall back into the higher single tax class 1 – even if you remain married.