tax authorities / fiscus
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tax authorities
A formal term for the state as the holder of financial authority, especially with regard to the collection of taxes. Often used as a synonym for the tax authorities or the tax office.
Selbstständige müssen vierteljährlich eine Vorauszahlung an den Fiskus leisten.
Self-employed people have to make a quarterly advance payment to the tax authorities.
'Der Fiskus' (the tax authorities) is a formal term, often used in the media, for the state as the recipient of taxes. The word sounds slightly detached and is sometimes also used ironically.
Jedes Jahr im Mai muss die Steuererklärung beim Fiskus eingereicht werden.
Every year in May, the tax return has to be submitted to the tax authorities.
The word is often treated like a person. Typical phrases are 'an den Fiskus zahlen' (to pay the tax authorities), 'der Fiskus fordert' (the tax authorities demand), or 'etwas vom Fiskus zurückbekommen' (to get something back from the tax authorities).
Viele hoffen, nach der Steuererklärung Geld vom Fiskus zurückzubekommen.
Many people hope to get money back from the tax authorities after filing their tax return.
You can clearly recognize the historical meaning from the context. If 'Kaiser' (emperor), 'Provinzen' (provinces), or 'antiken Rom' (ancient Rome) is mentioned, the emperor's private treasury is meant.
Im Römischen Reich wurden die Steuern aus Ägypten direkt an den Fiskus abgeführt.
In the Roman Empire, taxes from Egypt were paid directly to the fiscus.
state
'der Staat' and 'der Fiskus' can both refer to the public side of a country. However, 'der Staat' is much more general: it includes the government, authorities, laws, and territory of a country. 'der Fiskus' refers to the state especially in matters of money and taxes. The word sounds formal and often appears when the topic is taxes, levies, or the tax office. Learners may confuse the words because the tax authorities are also a kind of state. In everyday language, people usually say 'der Staat'. 'der Fiskus' only fits when the state is meant as the recipient or administrator of money.
Nach dem Verkauf der Wohnung muss ein Teil des Gewinns an den Fiskus gehen.
After selling the apartment, part of the profit has to go to the tax authorities.
Der Staat bezahlt neue Schulen und sorgt für öffentliche Sicherheit.
The state pays for new schools and ensures public safety.