Inklingo

How to Say "tax" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “tax” is “impuesto” — use 'impuesto' for general taxes paid to the government, such as income tax or sales tax.

impuesto🔊A2

Use 'impuesto' for general taxes paid to the government, such as income tax or sales tax.

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tasa🔊B2

Use 'tasa' when referring to a specific fee or charge for a service provided by an authority, like a passport renewal fee.

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contribuciónC1

Use 'contribución' specifically for local or property taxes, like taxes on a house or land.

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derecho🔊B2

Use 'derecho' for specific government levies, often related to importing or exporting goods (customs duties) or for certain administrative procedures.

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tributo🔊B2

Use 'tributo' for a payment made to the government, often used interchangeably with 'impuesto' but can sometimes imply a broader or more formal levy.

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fiscal🔊B2

Use 'fiscal' as an adjective when referring to anything related to taxes or the government's financial administration, like 'tax reform'.

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tributario🔊B2

Use 'tributario' as an adjective, similar to 'fiscal', to describe systems, laws, or matters related to taxes or public revenue.

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English → Spanish

impuesto

im-pweh-stohimˈpwesto

nounA2general
Use 'impuesto' for general taxes paid to the government, such as income tax or sales tax.
A small pile of gold coins being placed into a wooden box labeled with a crown symbol.

Examples

Tengo que pagar el impuesto de la renta mañana.

I have to pay my income tax tomorrow.

El gobierno anunció un nuevo impuesto sobre el plástico.

The government announced a new tax on plastic.

Muchos ciudadanos se quejan de que los impuestos son demasiado altos.

Many citizens complain that taxes are too high.

Always Masculine

When you mean 'tax', the word is always masculine (el impuesto), even if the tax is on something that sounds feminine.

Talking about taxes in general

In Spanish, we usually use the plural 'los impuestos' when talking about the general system or the concept of paying taxes.

Confusing with 'Tasa'

Mistake: “Using 'impuesto' for a small service fee.”

Correction: Use 'tasa' for a specific fee (like for a passport) and 'impuesto' for general government funding (like sales tax).

tasa

TAH-sahˈtasa

nounB2general
Use 'tasa' when referring to a specific fee or charge for a service provided by an authority, like a passport renewal fee.
A person handing a gold coin to a clerk at a wooden counter.

Examples

Debes pagar una tasa para renovar el pasaporte.

You must pay a fee to renew your passport.

Las tasas aeroportuarias están incluidas en el billete.

The airport taxes are included in the ticket.

Tasa vs. Impuesto

A 'tasa' is usually a fee you pay in exchange for a specific service (like getting a license), while an 'impuesto' is a general tax that goes to the government for everything.

contribución

nounC1specific
Use 'contribución' specifically for local or property taxes, like taxes on a house or land.

Examples

Tengo que pagar la contribución de la casa este mes.

I have to pay the property tax on the house this month.

derecho

deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo

nounB2specific
Use 'derecho' for specific government levies, often related to importing or exporting goods (customs duties) or for certain administrative procedures.
A hand placing coins on a counter next to official-looking documents, representing the payment of a fee or duty.

Examples

Hay que pagar los derechos de aduana para importar el coche.

You have to pay the customs duties to import the car.

La factura incluye los derechos de matrícula de la universidad.

The bill includes the university's registration fees.

tributo

tree-BOO-tohtɾiˈβuto

nounB2formal
Use 'tributo' for a payment made to the government, often used interchangeably with 'impuesto' but can sometimes imply a broader or more formal levy.
A small stack of gold coins sitting on a wooden table.

Examples

El estado anunció un nuevo tributo sobre la gasolina.

The state announced a new tax on gasoline.

En la Edad Media, los pueblos pagaban tributos al rey.

In the Middle Ages, towns paid tributes to the king.

Todos debemos cumplir con nuestros tributos municipales.

We must all comply with our municipal taxes.

Tributo vs. Impuesto

'Tributo' is a broad category that includes all kinds of mandatory payments (taxes, fees, etc.), while 'impuesto' specifically means a tax where you don't get a direct service in return.

Too formal for daily talk

Mistake: “Tengo que pagar mis tributos mañana.”

Correction: Tengo que pagar mis impuestos mañana.

fiscal

fees-KAHLfisˈkal

adjectiveB2general
Use 'fiscal' as an adjective when referring to anything related to taxes or the government's financial administration, like 'tax reform'.
A massive pile of gold coins and stacks of currency resting on a polished wooden table, symbolizing public revenue and taxation. A small, dignified government building is visible in the background.

Examples

La reforma fiscal afectará a todas las empresas grandes.

The tax reform will affect all large companies.

El año fiscal en este país comienza en enero.

The fiscal year in this country starts in January.

Necesitamos un acuerdo fiscal con los países vecinos.

We need a financial agreement with neighboring countries.

Always the Same Form

As an adjective, 'fiscal' always looks the same, whether the noun it modifies is masculine ('el año fiscal') or feminine ('la política fiscal').

Confusing Adjective and Noun

Mistake: “Usar 'fiscal' para decir 'tax' (the thing you pay).”

Correction: Use 'impuesto' for the noun 'tax.' 'Fiscal' describes things related to taxes, but isn't the tax itself. E.g., 'el impuesto fiscal' is redundant.

tributario

tree-boo-tah-ree-ohtɾibuˈtaɾjo

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'tributario' as an adjective, similar to 'fiscal', to describe systems, laws, or matters related to taxes or public revenue.
A colorful illustration of a person putting a gold coin into a large jar labeled with a simple crown symbol.

Examples

El sistema tributario de este país es muy complejo.

The tax system in this country is very complex.

Necesito un asesor tributario para mi declaración.

I need a tax advisor for my declaration.

El gobierno anunció una nueva reforma tributaria.

The government announced a new tax reform.

Matching the Ending

This word changes its last letter to match what it's describing. Use 'tributario' for masculine things like 'sistema' and 'tributaria' for feminine things like 'ley' (law).

Where to Put It

In Spanish, 'tributario' usually comes after the noun it describes, unlike in English where 'tax' comes before (e.g., 'tax system' becomes 'sistema tributario').

Don't use 'táxico'

Mistake: “Usar el sistema táxico.”

Correction: Usar el sistema tributario.

General vs. Specific Taxes

The most common confusion is between 'impuesto' and 'tasa'. Remember that 'impuesto' is for general government income (like income tax), while 'tasa' is a specific payment for a service or permit.

Related Translations

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