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

Voters haven’t said no to a sales tax hike since 2012, when a transportation measure fell just short with 66.1% support.

From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026

Miami residents get all this because of—not in spite of—zero state income taxes, zero estate taxes, a manageable 7% sales tax, and reasonable property taxes and corporate taxes.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Los Angeles County has a sales tax of 9.75%, and cities add their own sales tax on top.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

Merchants paid about $500 million in interchange on sales tax in Illinois in 2024, including both debit and credit cards, according to data from payments consulting firm CMSPI.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 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