sales tax

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of sales tax

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

But the measure faced significant opposition from local cities, with opponents arguing the sales tax hike would unfairly burden the poorest county residents and encourage people to spend their dollars across the county line.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Los Angeles County voters will soon decide whether they want to pay a temporary half-cent sales tax to shore up the region’s public healthcare system, which is facing dramatic federal funding cuts.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

The supervisors voted 4-1 to put the sales tax on the ballot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

A state and city sales tax of nearly 9%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Jesus—$18.95 P^us the 3 per cent sales tax which Tubs figured out would make a grand total of $19.52, the sales tax amounting to fifty-seven cents.

From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier