sales tax

American  

noun

• sales taxes
  plural

1. a tax on receipts from sales, usually added to the selling price by the seller.

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sales tax British  

noun

1. a tax levied on retail sales receipts and added to selling prices by retailers

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sales taxes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sales tax

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sales tax

In November, voters will decide whether to approve a proposed half-cent county sales tax, entitled “Protect San Diego County Health and Safety Act.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

Washington taxes digital advertising under its sales tax regime.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

So if a venue increases prices to pay staff more, its revenues go up accordingly, and it must pay more sales tax.

From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026

In June, county voters approved Measure ER, which imposes a half-cent sales tax estimated to bring in $1 billion a year to help cash-strapped hospitals, clinics and Planned Parenthood services.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

“Okay, there’s sales tax on the stuff that’s not food....Uh, eight times eight, carry the six...”

From "The Smartest Kid in the Universe" by Chris Grabenstein