income tax

American  

noun

• income taxes
  plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• income taxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of income tax

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

income tax

You pay ordinary income tax on the cost basis — that is, the amount you paid when you first purchased the stock — in the year you take the distribution.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

He netted $2.2 million when Motorola acquired the body camera firm in 2019, according to his income tax return from that year.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

"We have already announced unprecedented financial powers to English mayors so they can receive a share of income tax revenues to boost local economies and improve public services," they added.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

Orlanda ranked first, driven in part by the tax-friendly status of the city and the state, which does not have a state income tax, an estate tax or inheritance tax, Lupo said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Dora was having trouble with her income tax, for she was entangled in that curious enigma which said the business was illegal and then taxed her for it.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck