das  Haushaltsjahr

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈhaʊsˌhaltsˌjaːɐ̯/

💰 What exactly is a Haushaltsjahr?

The German noun das Haushaltsjahr refers to the period for which a Haushalt (budget, especially a public budget of the federal government, states, or municipalities, but also a private one) is planned and accounted for. It is the financial planning and accounting period.

Often, the Haushaltsjahr corresponds to the calendar year (January 1 to December 31), but it can also differ (e.g., in some organizations or historically).

It is a neuter noun, hence it is das Haushaltsjahr.

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Haushaltsjahr

The word "Haushaltsjahr" is a noun and neuter. It takes the article "das".

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Bundestag debattiert über den Entwurf für das kommende Haushaltsjahr.
   (The federal parliament is debating the draft for the upcoming fiscal year.)
2. Die Ausgaben in diesem Haushaltsjahr waren höher als erwartet.
   (Expenditures in this fiscal year were higher than expected.)
3. Die Planung für mehrere Haushaltsjahre gestaltet sich schwierig.
   (Planning for multiple fiscal years proves difficult.)
4. Im letzten Haushaltsjahre gab es einen Überschuss.
   (There was a surplus in the last fiscal year.)

🗓️ When and How to Use Haushaltsjahr?

The term "Haushaltsjahr" is primarily used in the context of public finance (Staat, Länder, Kommunen - state, federal states, municipalities) and in business administration.

• Public Administration: Here, the Haushaltsjahr is the basis for budget planning, tax collection, and government spending. Laws often refer to specific fiscal years.
• Companies/Organizations: Companies and associations also often plan in fiscal years, which sometimes deviate from the calendar year and are then often called Geschäftsjahr or Wirtschaftsjahr (business year).
• Private Households: Less common, but private individuals can also plan their budget for a Haushaltsjahr, usually coinciding with the calendar year.

Distinction:

• Kalenderjahr: Always refers to the period from January 1 to December 31. The Haushaltsjahr can correspond to the calendar year, but doesn't have to.
• Geschäftsjahr/Wirtschaftsjahr: Similar to Haushaltsjahr, but used more specifically in a business context. The period can be chosen freely (e.g., July 1 to June 30).

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (das): Think of das Jahr (the year). A Haushaltsjahr is a specific type of year, so it keeps the article das.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine planning your household budget (your Haushalt) for a whole Jahr (year). That's your Haushaltsjahr.

🔄 Synonyms & Opposites of Haushaltsjahr

Related Terms

• Haushaltsplan: The document specifying income and expenditure for the fiscal year.
• Haushaltsmittel: The financial resources available in the fiscal year.
• Nachtragshaushalt: A supplement or amendment to the budget plan during the current fiscal year.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Finanzminister seinen Sohn: "Na, wie läuft's in Mathe?"
Sohn: "Super, Papa! Ich kann jetzt schon die Zahlen für das nächste Haushaltsjahr schätzen!"
Finanzminister: "Sehr gut, dann kannst du ja meinen Job übernehmen!"

Translation:
The Finance Minister asks his son: "So, how's math going?"
Son: "Great, Dad! I can already estimate the figures for the next fiscal year!"
Finance Minister: "Very good, then you can take over my job!"

✍️ A Poem About the Topic

Das Haushaltsjahr, es kommt und geht,
Ein Plan, der auf soliden Zahlen steht.
Von Januar bis Dezember oft die Zeit,
Für Ausgaben steht das Geld bereit.

Der Kämmerer rechnet, plant und wacht,
Hat jede Ziffer wohl bedacht.
Ein Jahr des Wirtschaftens, voll Sorgfalt, klar,
So läuft es ab, Jahr für Jahr.

Translation:
The fiscal year, it comes and goes,
A plan that on solid numbers grows.
From January to December, often the time,
For spending, money's ready, sublime.

The treasurer calculates, plans, and oversees,
Considered every digit, if you please.
A year of management, careful and clear,
That's how it goes, year after year.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich habe zwölf Monate, doch bin nicht immer das Kalenderjahr.
Für Minister und Kämmerer bin ich der Plan, ganz wunderbar.
Ich lege fest, was man ausgibt, was kommt herein als Geld.
Wie nennt man diesen Zeitraum in der Finanzwelt?

(I have twelve months, but I'm not always the calendar year.
For ministers and treasurers, I am the plan, quite wonderful and dear.
I determine what is spent, what comes in as money.
What is this period called in the world of finance, honey?)

Solution: Das Haushaltsjahr (The Fiscal Year)

💡 More Interesting Facts

Word Composition

The word "Haushaltsjahr" is a compound noun, composed of:

• Der Haushalt: Refers to the management of finances (private or public budget/household).
• The linking element -s-: A connecting sound between the word parts.
• Das Jahr: The year (unit of time).

Together it means "the year of the budget".

Trivia

• In Germany, the Haushaltsjahr for the federal government and the states is the calendar year, according to § 11 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO) and corresponding state regulations (LHO).
• Historically or in other countries, the fiscal year can also be different, e.g., from April 1st to March 31st (as in the UK) or July 1st to June 30th (as in the US at the federal level until 1976).