income tax

American  

noun

1. a tax levied on incomes, especially an annual government tax on personal incomes.

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income tax British  

noun

1. a personal tax, usually progressive, levied on annual income subject to certain deductions

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Etymology

Origin of income tax

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

New York state, meanwhile, has a progressive income tax that tops out at around 10.9%, among the highest state taxes in the country.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Higher income tax refunds likely helped offset some of the effects of higher gasoline prices and kept consumers—and the broader U.S. economy—in solid shape.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

They can speed up to file their income tax return by Wednesday, April 15.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“My bill would guarantee no income tax on the first $75,000 families earn,” Mr. Booker said last month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

I had observed my father making his way through what, I now suppose, must have been income tax forms.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez