purchase tax

American  

noun

British.

1. a sales tax on nonessential and luxury goods.

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purchase tax British  

noun

1. a tax levied on nonessential consumer goods and added to selling prices by retailers

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Etymology

Origin of purchase tax

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The $7,500 federal EV purchase tax credit expired in September, making EVs relatively more expensive.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

U.S. sales of all-electric cars fell 27% External link year over year in the first quarter, following the September expiration of the federal $7,500 EV purchase tax credit.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

EV sales fell in the fourth quarter and are expected to decline in 2026 after the September expiration of the $7,500 federal EV purchase tax credit.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

In the U.S., buyers lost the $7,500 EV purchase tax credit at the end of September.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

A scaled back trade-in program and a rise in the EV purchase tax from 0% to 5% may prompt domestic auto sales growth to slow, Nomura says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026