besteuern
to tax
To impose a government charge (tax) on something, especially income, goods, or services.
EXAMPLE
Der Staat besteuert den Kauf von Tabakwaren sehr hoch.
The state taxes the purchase of tobacco products very heavily.
besteuern
to tax
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'besteuern' (to tax) is derived directly from the noun 'die Steuer' (the tax). It describes the action of levying a tax on something.
EXAMPLE
Der Staat plant, zuckerhaltige Getränke höher zu besteuern.
The state plans to tax sugary drinks more heavily.
Sentence structure with accusative
'Besteuern' (to tax) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'be-'. It always requires a direct object in the accusative, indicating what or who is being taxed.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung besteuert das Einkommen der Bürger.
The government taxes citizens' income.
Typical collocations
The verb is often combined with adverbs such as 'hoch' (highly), 'niedrig' (low), or 'stark' (heavily) to indicate the amount of tax. Typical objects are 'Einkommen' (income), 'Gewinne' (profits), or 'Produkte' (products).
EXAMPLE
Importierte Luxusautos werden in diesem Land stark besteuert.
Imported luxury cars are heavily taxed in this country.
Register
The word 'besteuern' (to tax) belongs to formal language and is mainly used in the fields of economics, politics, and law.
EXAMPLE
Im Parlament wird diskutiert, wie man digitale Dienstleistungen besteuern kann.
Parliament is discussing how digital services can be taxed.
Compare with
besteuern vs versteuern
to pay tax on
Besteuern describes the state imposing a tax on income, goods, or services. Versteuern, by contrast, describes the person liable for tax paying the required taxes on their own income, profits, or assets.
besteuern
Der Staat besteuert das zusätzliche Einkommen der Selbstständigen.
The state taxes the self-employed person's additional income.
versteuern
Die Selbstständige muss ihr zusätzliches Einkommen versteuern.
The self-employed woman has to pay tax on her additional income.
In real life
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