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Tax: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’ฐ
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tax

 

[ taks ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

payment

A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.

Synonyms

assessment, duty, levy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tax

A tax is a financial charge imposed by a government on individuals or businesses to fund public services and infrastructure. It is a general term used for various types of charges on income, property, sales, and more.

  • Income tax is due on April 15th
  • Sales tax is added to the purchase price of goods
duty

Duty is a specific type of tax imposed on imported and exported goods. It is often used in the context of customs and trade. The term can also indicate a moral or legal obligation.

  • Import duty on electronics can be quite high
  • It is your duty to pay taxes honestly
levy

Levy refers to the act of imposing or collecting a tax, fee, or fine. It can also mean the amount that is imposed or collected. The term is often used in official or legal contexts.

  • The government decided to levy a new tax on luxury cars
  • A special levy was imposed to fund the new highway
assessment

Assessment often refers to the process of evaluating or determining the value of property or an individual's income for taxation purposes. It can also just mean an evaluation in general contexts.

  • The assessment of your property value is higher this year
  • The teacher's assessment of the students' performance was positive

Examples of usage

  • Individuals and businesses are required to pay taxes to the government.
  • The sales tax on that item is 8%.
  • She calculated her income tax for the year.
  • The government uses tax revenue to fund public services.
  • Taxes can be deducted from your paycheck.
Context #2 | Verb

financial

To impose a tax on (someone or something).

Synonyms

charge, impose, levy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
tax

Common term for compulsory financial charges imposed by a government on individuals or businesses.

  • Income tax must be filed by April 15th each year
  • The new government promises to lower taxes for the middle class
levy

Typically used in formal or legal contexts to describe the act of officially collecting a tax, fee, or fine, often by the government.

  • The city council voted to levy a new property tax
  • The government levied a fine on the company for environmental violations
charge

Used when referring to fees for services or goods, not necessarily by the government.

  • The hotel charges a service fee for room service
  • There is a late charge if you don't return the book on time
impose

Often used to describe the act of enacting laws, rules, or fees, often with a sense of authority or burden.

  • The government decided to impose new regulations on emissions
  • They imposed a strict dress code in the office

Examples of usage

  • The government taxes personal income.
  • They taxed imported goods at a high rate.
  • The new law will tax carbon emissions.
  • He was taxed heavily on his inheritance.
  • The city council voted to tax property owners.

Translations

Translations of the word "tax" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น imposto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Steuer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ pajak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะดะฐั‚ะพะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ podatek

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็จŽ้‡‘

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท impรดt

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ impuesto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท vergi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ธ๊ธˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุถุฑูŠุจุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ daลˆ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ daลˆ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็จŽ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ davek

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ skatt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ‘แƒแƒŸแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vergi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ impuesto

Etymology

The word 'tax' comes from the Latin word 'taxare', meaning 'evaluate' or 'assess'. The concept of taxation has been around for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations using various forms of taxation to fund government activities. Taxes play a crucial role in modern societies, providing revenue for public services such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and defense.

See also: overtax, taxi, taxing, taxon, taxpayer, untaxed.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #352, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.