finance ministry
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finance ministry
The highest authority of a state or federal state responsible for financial policy, the state budget, taxes, and customs duties. It manages public finances.
Das Finanzministerium hat die neuen Steuerschätzungen für das kommende Jahr veröffentlicht.
The finance ministry has published the new tax estimates for the coming year.
This long word is made up of 'Finanz' (financial, from 'die Finanzen' — finances) and 'Ministerium' (ministry). It therefore refers to the government authority responsible for finances.
Viele politische Entscheidungen hängen vom Finanzministerium ab.
Many political decisions depend on the finance ministry.
It is often specified which finance ministry is meant. This is done with an adjective before it or a genitive phrase after it.
Das bayerische Finanzministerium hat seinen Sitz in München.
The Bavarian finance ministry is based in Munich.
Since it is an authority, 'Finanzministerium' (finance ministry) often appears as the subject with verbs related to governing and administration, e.g. 'plant' (plans), 'veröffentlicht' (publishes), 'entscheidet' (decides), or 'legt vor' (presents).
Das Finanzministerium plant eine Reform der Einkommensteuer.
The finance ministry is planning a reform of income tax.
tax office
'Finanzamt' and 'Finanzministerium' both belong to the area of money, the state, and taxes. However, they are important at different levels. The 'Finanzamt' is the authority that citizens and businesses deal with directly, for example when filing a tax return. The 'Finanzministerium' is a high-level government authority and makes decisions about financial policy, the budget, and major rules. The words can be confused because both have to do with finances and taxes. For personal tax questions, you almost always say 'Finanzamt', not 'Finanzministerium'.
Das Finanzministerium plant neue Regeln für den Staatshaushalt.
The finance ministry is planning new rules for the state budget.
Hannah hat nach dem Gespräch ihre Unterlagen an das Finanzamt geschickt.
After the conversation, Hannah sent her documents to the tax office.