internal revenue

American  

noun

1. the revenue of a government from any domestic source, usually considered to be any source other than customs.

---

internal revenue British  

noun

1. government income derived from taxes, etc, within the country

---

Etymology

Origin of internal revenue

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

President Trump, his elder sons, and the family business moved Monday to dismiss their federal lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service for the leak of Mr. Trump’s tax returns.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

As far as the Internal Revenue Service is concerned, what matters is the sale price, the difference between the sale price and your stepped‑up basis, as discussed above, along with any eligible selling expenses.

From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026

The Internal Revenue Service’s “wash sale” rule limits the ability to recognize a loss on the sale of stock if the same stock is purchased within 30 days before or after the sale.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

April is typically a good month for the U.S. budget because of the influx of income tax payments around the Internal Revenue Service’s mid-month deadline.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

I was aware that I was being carefully sized up while he talked primarily of F.B.I. and Internal Revenue Service close surveillance of his organization, and of a rumored forthcoming Congressional probe.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey