sin tax

American  

noun

Informal.

1. a tax levied on cigarettes, liquor, gambling, or other things considered neither luxuries nor necessities.

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sin tax British  

noun

1. informal a tax levied on something that is considered morally or medically harmful, such as alcohol or tobacco

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Etymology

Origin of sin tax

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sin tax

This is not the first time services for the state’s youngest children have been affected by reductions in a sin tax.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2025

City residents voted thumbs down on the sin tax, which passed on the back of votes from better-heeled precincts of Cuyahoga County.

From New York Times ● Aug. 7, 2018

Other options being floated by officials include raising already existing fees and assessments, bumping up personal income tax and property tax rates, or a so-called sin tax on unhealthy products.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 2016

The total burden of this "sin" tax still has to be worked out, as does the rate applying to services that are now taxed at a rate of 15 percent.

From Reuters ● Nov. 4, 2016

Since a hardworking plumber can easily earn twice that in his spare time, many people are likely to be tempted by the quintessential capitalist sin: tax cheating.

From Time Magazine Archive