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Tax

TAKS /tæks/

nounverbB1

FormalGeneral

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.

While often seen as a burden, taxes fund public services. The term can refer to the amount paid or the act of imposing it.

The story behind the word. Our word 'tax' comes from the Old French 'taxer,' which itself is rooted in the Latin 'taxare.' Originally, 'taxare' meant 'to censure, to touch, to handle,' and later evolved to mean 'to estimate' or 'to appraise.' It wasn't until the 14th century that it gained its modern sense of 'to impose a tax,' reflecting the government's estimation and collection of funds.

Word relationships

Duty: Often refers specifically to taxes on goods, especially imports/exports.
Levy: Can be a more formal term for imposing a tax or fee, often for a specific purpose.
Tribute: Historical; a payment made by one ruler or state to another, often out of subjugation.

Subsidy: Financial aid provided by the government, often to reduce costs or support an industry.
Grant: A sum of money given by an organization or government for a particular purpose.

Commonly confused with

Fee: A 'fee' is usually a payment for a specific service or privilege, whereas a 'tax' is a compulsory contribution to general government revenue.

Word family

taxable (adjective): Subject to taxation.
taxation (noun): The imposition of taxes.
taxpayer (noun): A person who pays taxes.

Collocations

income tax
sales tax
property tax
tax burden
tax evasion
tax reform
tax revenue

Idioms & expressions

death and taxes (certainty of unavoidable things)

Example sentences

"The government announced a new carbon tax aimed at reducing emissions and funding green initiatives." Discussing government funding.
"The power to tax involves the power to destroy." A historical perspective on taxation.

Memory hook

Think of the government 'TAKing' a portion of your income to fund public services. TAX = TAKes. TAX = TAKE

When not to use

Avoid using 'tax' informally to mean any burden or cost if a more precise word like 'burden' or 'cost' is appropriate, unless the context clearly implies a financial levy.

Fun facts

The phrase 'death and taxes' to describe the only two certainties in life is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

Related words

Revenue, Levy

Explore more words

Fiscal Policy, income, redistribution, customs, Donation, contribution