lõpptähtaeg

Lõpptähtaeg is an Estonian term that denotes the final date by which an action must be completed or a submission made. It marks the last permissible moment in a process, after which the opportunity may be lost, a claim may be rejected, or a contract term may be deemed unfulfilled.

The term is commonly used in formal and administrative contexts, such as tenders and procurement, grant applications, tax declarations, registrations, licensing, and contract performance schedules. While people may refer to an earlier or intermediate deadline as a tähtaeg, lõpptähtaeg emphasizes the ultimate limit that cannot be extended without official action.

Extensions and consequences vary by context. In many systems, a competent authority may grant an extension to a lõpptähtaeg if justified, usually through a formal procedure. Missing the lõpptähtaeg can lead to disqualification, penalties, or loss of rights under the applicable rules or agreement. The specific outcomes depend on the governing legislation, contractual terms, and the discretion of the responsible body.

Linguistically, lõpptähtaeg is a compound of lõpp (end) and tähtaeg (deadline), underscoring the finality of the date. It is often translated into English as "deadline" or "final deadline," with nuance that it represents the ultimate cutoff point in a process.