01
die Steuer
tax
A monetary charge that citizens and companies must pay to the state in order to finance public spending.
example
Jedes Jahr im Mai muss ich meine Steuererklärung abgeben.
Every year in May, I have to submit my tax return.
die Steuer
tax
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Meanings
Usage tips
Common mistake
Pay attention to the article! 'Die Steuer' (tax, feminine) is the charge paid to the state. There is also 'das Steuer' (neuter), which means the steering wheel in a car or the helm on a ship.
EXAMPLE
Hohe Steuern machen das Leben teuer.
High taxes make life expensive.
Typical collocations
In everyday language, taxes are often used with certain verbs. You can say 'Steuern zahlen' (to pay taxes), 'Steuern sparen' (to save on taxes), or 'Steuern hinterziehen' (to evade taxes, which is illegal).
EXAMPLE
Jeder Bürger muss Steuern zahlen.
Every citizen has to pay taxes.
Sentence structure with 'auf'
When you want to say what a tax is levied on, German uses the preposition 'auf' with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Die Regierung plant eine höhere Steuer auf Zucker.
The government is planning a higher tax on sugar.
Word family
Many other useful words are derived from 'Steuer' (tax), for example the verb 'versteuern' (to pay tax on something) or the profession 'Steuerberater' (tax advisor).
EXAMPLE
Du musst dein zusätzliches Einkommen ordnungsgemäß versteuern.
You have to properly pay tax on your additional income.
Compare with
Steuer vs Beitrag
contribution / post
'der Beitrag' and 'die Steuer' can both have to do with money that you have to pay. Still, they are not the same. You pay a 'Steuer' (tax) to the state so that public tasks can be financed. A 'Beitrag' is often a payment for a membership, insurance, or a shared goal. It can also be a personal contribution, not just money. Learners may confuse the words because both can be regular and obligatory. The important point is: the state and a general obligation usually mean 'Steuer'; a club, insurance, or a shared project often mean 'Beitrag'.
Steuer
Muss ich für diesen Nebenjob auch Steuer zahlen?
Do I also have to pay tax on this part-time job?
Beitrag
Für den Sportverein zahlt Max jeden Monat einen Beitrag.
Max pays a monthly fee for the sports club.
In real life
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