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
Beitrag and Steuer both refer to payments, but they differ in their purpose. A Beitrag is typically connected to a membership or service, such as a club or insurance. A Steuer is paid to the state and finances public spending without requiring such membership.
Steuer
Auf ihr Einkommen zahlt Nina jedes Jahr eine Steuer an den Staat.
Nina pays tax on her income to the state every year.
Beitrag
Für ihre Mitgliedschaft im Sportverein zahlt Nina jeden Monat einen Beitrag.
Nina pays a membership fee every month for her sports club membership.
In real life
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