German word

Finanzamt

Pronunciation

IPA/fiˈnantsˌamt/

Meaning

  • neuter nountax office

Example

Ich muss zum Finanzamt gehen.

I have to go to the tax office.

Illustration for Finanzamt (tax office)

More examples

Das Finanzamt hat mir eine Zahlungsaufforderung geschickt.

The tax office sent me a payment request.

Core concept

A public authority that turns financial information into tax decisions and collects the resulting payments.

Common phrases

  • eine Steuererklärung beim Finanzamt abgeben

    submit a tax return to the tax office

  • einen Termin beim Finanzamt vereinbaren

    arrange an appointment with the tax office

  • gegen einen Bescheid vom Finanzamt Einspruch einlegen

    appeal against a notice from the tax office

Similar words

Behörde: A government or local authority that carries out administrative work.
Amt: A public office or department that handles official procedures.
Steuererklärung: A document declaring income and other details for tax assessment.
Steuerberater: A tax professional who advises on taxes and helps prepare tax returns.

Definition in German

Amt, das für die Festsetzung und Einziehung von Steuern zuständig ist.

Word origin

The compound Finanzamt joins Finanz, ultimately from Latin financia through French, with Amt, which entered Old High German as ambet from Latin ambactus, a Celtic-derived word.

Usage tips

  • Finanzamt names the institution rather than the building alone, so official letters can refer to a Finanzamt even when no visit is involved.

Other meanings

  • tax bureaunoun
  • tax authoritynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word