surtax

American  

[sur-taks, sur-taks, sur-taks] / ˈsɜrˌtæks, ˈsɜrˌtæks, sɜrˈtæks /

noun

1. an additional or extra tax on something already taxed.

2. one of a graded series of additional taxes levied on incomes exceeding a certain amount.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put an additional or extra tax on; charge with a surtax.

surtax British  

/ ˈsɜːˌtæks /

noun

1. a tax, usually highly progressive, levied on the amount by which a person's income exceeds a specific level

2. an additional tax on something that has already been taxed

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verb

1. (tr) to assess for liability to surtax; charge with an extra tax

surtax Cultural  

1. A tax added to an existing tax. To help finance the Vietnam War, for example, Congress imposed a surtax on the federal income tax.

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Etymology

Origin of surtax

1880–85; sur- ¹ + tax; supertax, French surtaxe

Example Sentences

These include the 3.8% surtax on net investment income, taxes on Social Security payments and Medicare income-based premiums known as Irmaa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

Supermarket bosses highlighted that part of the government's business rates reforms posed a problem for the industry, in particular the so-called business rates surtax, which is being levied on all large commercial premises.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

Payroll taxes paid by employers are rising not only to cover payouts to unemployed workers but also a state surcharge and a gradually increasing federal surtax to help pay off the principal on the debt.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2024

Also the amount over the set threshold limit is subject to a surtax.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 5, 2022

Since April 1905 a surtax of 7% has been imposed on all goods of other than French origin.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various

Related Words

• expense
• payment
• tax