die
Steuererklärung
💰 What exactly is a Steuererklärung?
The Steuererklärung (feminine noun, article: die) is an official document that individuals (natürliche Personen) or legal entities (juristische Personen) submit to the responsible tax authority (in Germany, the Finanzamt). It declares all relevant income (Einkünfte), expenses (Ausgaben), allowances (Freibeträge), and other tax-relevant information for a specific period (usually a calendar year).
The purpose of the Steuererklärung is to determine the correct tax liability (Steuerschuld) or a possible tax refund (Steuererstattung). It forms the basis for the tax assessment notice (Steuerbescheid).
⚠️ Note: There are different types of tax declarations, e.g., the income tax declaration (Einkommensteuererklärung), VAT declaration (Umsatzsteuererklärung), or corporate tax declaration (Körperschaftsteuererklärung).
Article rules for der, die, and das
-ung → always feminine.
There are many -ung words, we won't list them all. There are only a few exceptions.
🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: die Steuererklärung
The word "Steuererklärung" is a feminine noun. The definite article is always die.
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative (Who/What?) | die Steuererklärung | eine Steuererklärung |
| Genitive (Whose?) | der Steuererklärung | einer Steuererklärung |
| Dative (To whom?) | der Steuererklärung | einer Steuererklärung |
| Accusative (Whom/What?) | die Steuererklärung | eine Steuererklärung |
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die Steuererklärungen | Steuererklärungen |
| Genitive | der Steuererklärungen | Steuererklärungen |
| Dative | den Steuererklärungen | Steuererklärungen |
| Accusative | die Steuererklärungen | Steuererklärungen |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich muss meine Steuererklärung bis Ende Juli abgeben.
(I have to submit my tax declaration by the end of July.) - Die Bearbeitung der Steuererklärung beim Finanzamt kann einige Wochen dauern.
(Processing the tax declaration at the tax office can take several weeks.) - Viele Menschen nutzen Software für ihre Steuererklärung.
(Many people use software for their tax declaration.) - Er hat Fragen zu seiner Steuererklärung und ruft beim Finanzamt an.
(He has questions about his tax declaration and calls the tax office.)
🗓️ When and how is "Steuererklärung" used?
The term Steuererklärung is primarily used in the context of finance, taxes, and government administration.
- Context: Discussions about personal or business finances, communication with the tax office (Finanzamt) or a tax advisor (Steuerberater), news about tax laws and deadlines (Fristen).
- Typical Verbs: eine Steuererklärung machen (to do), abgeben (to submit/hand in), einreichen (to file/submit), ausfüllen (to fill out), erstellen (to create), prüfen (to check).
- Typical Adjectives: jährliche (annual), elektronische (electronic, e.g., via ELSTER), vereinfachte (simplified), komplizierte (complicated), fristgerechte (on-time) Steuererklärung.
- Distinction: Don't confuse it with the Steuerbescheid, which is the tax assessment notice sent by the Finanzamt in response to the submitted Steuererklärung, stating the final tax owed or refund amount.
🧠 Mnemonics for Steuererklärung
Article Mnemonic (die): Think of words ending in "-ung" in German – they are almost always feminine (die Erklärung - the explanation, die Rechnung - the bill, die Mahnung - the reminder). Since Steuererklärung ends in "-ung", it's die. Also, die Steuer (the tax) is feminine.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you have to *declare* (erklären) your earnings to the state so they can calculate your *taxes* (Steuer). The form for this declaration is the Steuererklärung.
↔️ Synonyms & Related Terms
Synonyms (Similar Meaning):
- Einkommensteuererklärung: Specifically for income tax (often used synonymously in a personal context).
- Steueranmeldung: A broader term that can also include advance payments (e.g., Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung - advance VAT return).
- (Colloquial) Steuer: Often used informally to refer to the whole process, e.g., "Ich mach meine Steuer" (I'm doing my taxes).
Antonyms (Opposites):
There isn't a direct antonym. However, one could contrast it with terms describing the result:
- Steuerbescheid: The tax assessment notice received from the tax office.
- Steuererstattung: Tax refund (a possible outcome).
- Steuernachzahlung: Additional tax payment (another possible outcome).
Potentially Confusing Words:
- Steuerbescheid: As mentioned, this is the response to the declaration, not the declaration itself.
- Lohnsteuerbescheinigung: This is the annual income statement from an employer, providing data for the Steuererklärung, but it's not the declaration itself.
😂 A Little Tax Joke
German: Warum nehmen Steuerberater nie am Versteckspiel teil?
Weil sie immer die besten Abzüge kennen! 😉
English Translation: Why do tax advisors never play hide-and-seek?
Because they always know the best deductions! 😉 (Note: "Abzüge" means both deductions and pulling something away/subtracting, hence the pun)
📄 A Poem About the Annual Chore
German:
Das Jahr neigt sich, die Frist rückt nah,
Die Steuererklärung, sie ist wieder da!
Belege suchen, Zettel wühlen,
Man hofft, das Amt wird milde fühlen.
Die Zahlen tanzen, der Kopf, er raucht,
Man hat zu viel Kaffee gebraucht.
Am Ende dann, per Klick gesandt,
Wartet man auf Geld vom deutschen Staat – oder zahlt prompt!
English Translation:
The year descends, the deadline's near,
The tax declaration, it's here again, oh dear!
Searching receipts, wading through paper,
One hopes the tax office shows mild behavior.
The numbers dance, the head does smoke,
Too much coffee has been took.
Then finally, sent with a click,
One waits for state funds – or pays up quick!
❓ Little Riddle
German:
Ich bin ein Bündel Papier, digital oft schon hier.
Ich frage nach Lohn, nach Zins und nach Miete,
Und sorge bei vielen für schwitzige Güte.
Dem Finanzamt reichst du mich jährlich ein,
Was mag ich wohl sein?
Lösung: Die Steuererklärung
English Translation:
I'm a bundle of paper, often digital these days.
I ask about wages, interest, and rental stays.
I cause many people sweaty concern,
To the tax office, you must submit me each year in turn.
What might I be?
Solution: The tax declaration (die Steuererklärung)
🧩 Word Composition & More
The word "Steuererklärung" is a compound noun, composed of:
- Die Steuer: The tax (a mandatory financial charge imposed by a government).
- Die Erklärung: The declaration, explanation, or statement.
Together, the meaning is: A declaration concerning tax-relevant matters.
Related Terms:
- Finanzamt: The tax office/authority where the Steuererklärung is filed.
- Steuerberater: A tax advisor who helps prepare the Steuererklärung.
- ELSTER: (ELektronische STeuerERklärung) - The official German online portal for submitting tax declarations electronically.
- Frist: The deadline by which the Steuererklärung must be submitted.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Steuererklärung?
The word "Steuererklärung" is always feminine. Therefore, the correct article is exclusively die (die Steuererklärung, der Steuererklärung, die Steuererklärungen).