income tax

American  

noun

• income taxes
  plural

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

---

income tax British  

noun

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

---

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

High earners are already subject to a net investment income tax.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

While a Roth IRA must also be emptied by year 10, the beneficiary doesn’t owe income tax on withdrawals as long as the Roth IRA has met the five-year holding requirement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

Up to 50% or as much as 85% of your Social Security benefits may be subject to federal income tax.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 30, 2026

The expected increase in April 2027 would take the flat-rate state pension above the personal allowance of £12,570 and so liable to pay about £91 next year in income tax.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 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