black money

American  

noun

1. income earned surreptitiously or illegally, usually in cash, and not reported to the government so as to avoid paying taxes on it.

---

black money British  

noun

1. that part of a nation's income that relates to its black economy

2. any money that a person or organization acquires illegally, as by a means that involves tax evasion

3. money to fund a government project that is concealed in the cost of some other project

---

Etymology

Origin of black money

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

black money

Obscure black money was a large source of funding for one of the world’s most expensive elections.

From Slate ● May 31, 2019

Past efforts to attract black money into the light—using tax amnesties, for example—have had little effect.

From Economist ● Dec. 1, 2016

In India, real estate is the main vehicle politicians and businessmen have used to invest so-called black money, on which taxes have not been paid.

From New York Times ● Nov. 26, 2016

Also controversial is a plan to tackle black money stored abroad to evade tax with legislation that will include 10 years’ imprisonment for those found guilty.

From Newsweek ● Mar. 2, 2015

By another Act in this king's reign black money was not to be current in England, and by an Act made in the eleventh year of his reign, chap.

From Political Pamphlets by Saintsbury, George