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

A combined state and local income tax of as much as 14.8%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

But she told Franklin that she also wished to avoid the California income tax that would kick in the moment her salary hit $1 million.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Swinney also announced ambitions to simplify the income tax system, roll out a £2 cap for single bus fares and deliver extra funded childcare.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

“Whenever income tax comes around, I usually pay down my credit cards and catch up on bills,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

Please don’t try to file an income tax at your age.

From "Our America: Life and Death on the South Side of Chicago" by LeAlan Jones