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

The personal allowance - the amount a person can earn before they start paying income tax - is set by the UK government.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

In contrast, withdrawing $10,000 from an IRA would trigger income tax based on your bracket — roughly $1,200 in a 12% tax bracket, $2,200 in a 22% bracket, or $2,400 in a 24% bracket.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

This would be equivalent to a roughly one-percentage point increase in New York City’s income tax rate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Once they hit 65 years old, they can withdraw their money 100% tax free for medical care; if they withdraw for any other reason, they pay standard income tax.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Some draw on government help in the form of food stamps, housing vouchers, the earned income tax credit, or—for those coming off welfare in relatively generous states—subsidized child care.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich