German · Finanzamt / Steuer-ID
You ask whether you have to file a tax return: what to say in German
You ask whether you have to file a tax return.
💡
How it's done. Many employees file the Steuererklärung (return) voluntarily and may get a refund; there are free advice services and ELSTER online.Prepared by the Movko team, November 2026. This is language help, not legal or medical advice: check the rules with the office itself.
Cheat sheet for your visit
The first phrase is open: tap ▶ to listen, or “Show” to show it to the other person. The rest of the dialogue is in the course in the app.
1
YOU START
Guten Tag, muss ich eine Steuererklärung abgeben?
GOO-tayn tahk, moos eekh IGH-neh SHTOY-eh-rehr-kleh-roong AHB-geh-bayn?
Good day, do I have to submit a tax return?
Or say:Guten Tag, ich habe eine Frage zur Steuererklärung.
GOO-tayn tahk, eekh KHAH-beh IGH-neh FRAH-geh tsoor SHTOY-eh-rehr-kleh-roong.
THEY SAY
Das hängt davon ab. Haben Sie das ganze Jahr gearbeitet?Dahs khayngt duh-FOHN ahp. KHAH-bayn zee dahs GAHN-tseh yahr geh-AHR-bigh-tet?
That depends. Did you work the whole year?
They might also say:
Das hängt von Ihrem Einkommen ab. Was haben Sie gearbeitet?
Dahs khayngt fohn EE-rem IGHN-koh-mayn ahp. Vahs KHAH-bayn zee geh-AHR-bigh-tet?
That depends on your income. What work did you do?
2
YOU FINISH
Nein, ich habe im Juli angefangen.
Nighn, eekh KHAH-beh eem YOO-lee AHN-geh-fahn-gayn.
No, I started in July.
THEY SAY
Dann lohnt sich eine Erklärung oft. Sie bekommen vielleicht Geld zurück.Dahn lohnt zeekh IGH-neh ehr-KLEH-roong oft. Zee beh-KOH-mayn fee-LIGHKHT gelt tsoo-RYOOK.
Then a return is often worthwhile. You might get money back.
The course is in the app
This dialogue is part of the course “German for life in Germany”: 416 situations with audio, a pronunciation guide and spaced review.
On the website the first dialogue, the 112 category, the rescue phrases and the “Basics” are fully open.
Words worth knowing
Guten
GOO-tayn
adjective
good (in greetings)
Tag
tahk
noun
day
muss
moos
verb
must, has to
Steuererklärung
SHTOY-eh-rehr-kleh-roong
noun
tax return
abgeben
AHB-geh-bayn
verb
to hand in
hängt
khayngt
verb
depends
24 more words, with explanations, base forms and tap-a-word help, are in the app.
If you did not understand
Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?
KYOH-nayn zee dahs BEE-teh vee-dehr-KHOH-layn?
Can you repeat that, please?
Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen?
KYOH-nayn zee BEE-teh LAHNG-zuh-muh SHPREH-khayn?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Ich spreche noch nicht gut Deutsch.
Eekh SHPREH-kheh nokh neekht goot doych.
I don't speak German well yet.
Was bedeutet das?
Vahs beh-DOY-tet dahs?
What does this mean?
Similar situations
A new employer asks about your tax classFinanzamt / Steuer-ID · A2 in the app
→You need a tax identification numberFinanzamt / Steuer-ID · A2 in the app
→You apply for child benefitFamilienkasse / Kindergeld · A2 in the app
→You ask which documents are needed for child benefitFamilienkasse / Kindergeld · A2 in the app
→Found a mistake? Write to us and we will fix it. This is language help, not medical or legal advice.Report