Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?

Because auszahlen is a separable verb.

The full infinitive is auszahlen. In a normal main clause, German splits this kind of verb:

• the conjugated part goes in the usual verb position
• the prefix goes to the end

So:

• auszahlen → zahlt ... aus

That is why you get:

Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?

This is very common in German:

• anrufen → Ich rufe dich an.
• einkaufen → Wir kaufen heute ein.
• aufstehen → Er steht früh auf.

Because this is a W-question with Wann.

In German:

• in a yes/no question, the verb comes first
  
  • Zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?
• in a question with a question word like wann, wo, warum, wie, the question word comes first and the finite verb comes second
  
  • Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?

So the structure is:

Wann + zahlt + die Firma + den Zuschlag + aus

This is normal German word order.

Because Firma is a feminine noun in German.

Its article is:

• die Firma = nominative singular
• der Firma = dative/genitive singular, depending on context

In this sentence, die Firma is the subject, so it is in the nominative case:

die Firma = the company

A useful tip: the article die here does not mean the plural the. It is simply the feminine singular article.

Because Zuschlag is the direct object of the verb, so it is in the accusative case.

The noun is masculine:

• der Zuschlag = nominative
• den Zuschlag = accusative

Here, the company is paying out something, and that thing is the Zuschlag, so it becomes the direct object:

• die Firma = subject
• den Zuschlag = direct object

This is why the article changes from der to den.

Here is the breakdown:

• Wann = question word, asking about time
• zahlt = finite verb, from auszahlen
• die Firma = subject
• den Zuschlag = direct object in the accusative
• aus = separable prefix belonging to zahlt

So the sentence structure is:

When + does pay out + the company + the bonus/supplement?

Grammatically, it is a very typical German main clause with a separable verb.

Yes. Auszahlen often appears with a person who receives the money.

A full version could be:

• Die Firma zahlt den Zuschlag dem Mitarbeiter aus.
• Die Firma zahlt dem Mitarbeiter den Zuschlag aus.

Both mean the company pays out the bonus to the employee.

So in your sentence, the recipient is simply not stated because it is either obvious from context or not important.

That is very normal in German. You do not always have to mention every possible object.

This is a very useful question.

• zahlen = to pay
• auszahlen = to pay out, disburse

So auszahlen is more specific. It often suggests that money is being given out officially, transferred, or distributed.

For example:

• Die Firma zahlt den Lohn. = The company pays the wages.
• Die Firma zahlt den Lohn aus. = The company pays out the wages.

In many contexts, auszahlen sounds more natural when talking about wages, bonuses, reimbursements, benefits, or other amounts that are formally paid.

Yes. That is a very common alternative.

It is the passive version:

• Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus? = active
• Wann wird der Zuschlag ausgezahlt? = passive

The difference is mainly focus:

• active focuses on who does it: the company
• passive focuses on what happens: the bonus gets paid out

German often uses the passive in formal or business contexts, so Wann wird der Zuschlag ausgezahlt? is very natural.

Because wann asks a question about time, while wenn usually means if or when in a subordinate clause.

Use wann in direct questions:

• Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?

Use wenn in clauses like:

• Wenn die Firma den Zuschlag auszahlt, ... = If/When the company pays out the bonus, ...

This is a very common confusion for English speakers, because English uses when in both situations much more freely.

Yes, but only within normal German rules.

The standard order here is:

Wann zahlt die Firma den Zuschlag aus?

You could also hear variations in other contexts, especially if another element is moved for emphasis. But in a direct Wann question, this version is the most neutral and natural.

One important thing does not change in a main clause:

• the finite verb stays in second position
• the separable prefix aus stays at the end

So you would not say:

• Wann zahlt aus die Firma den Zuschlag? ❌

That breaks the separable-verb pattern.

The dictionary form is auszahlen.

zahlt is:

• 3rd person singular
• present tense

So:

• ich zahle aus
• du zahlst aus
• er/sie/es zahlt aus

In your sentence, die Firma is grammatically she/it in the sense of third person singular, so the verb form is zahlt.

Not always. Zuschlag can have several related meanings depending on context, such as:

• bonus
• supplement
• surcharge
• additional payment
• premium

So although you already know the intended meaning in this sentence, it is worth remembering that the noun is somewhat broad. German often uses Zuschlag for an extra amount added to something, whether positive for the employee or simply an added charge in another context.

That means the grammar stays the same, but the best English translation can change depending on the situation.