single tax

American  

noun

Economics.

1. a tax, as on land, that constitutes the sole source of public revenue.

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single tax British  

noun

1. a taxation system in which a tax on one commodity, usually land, is the only source of revenue

2. such a tax

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Other Word Forms

• single-tax adjective

Etymology

Origin of single tax

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Example Sentences

“We were also trying to manage future large RMDs in single tax brackets versus married tax brackets now,” Lofley said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 11, 2025

George argued that the woes of the world could be solved by a single tax on land.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Currently, single tax filers can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains from the sale of their primary residence or $500,000 if filing jointly.

From Barron's • Oct. 14, 2025

For the poorest fifth of households, VAT is the biggest single tax paid.

From BBC • Nov. 15, 2023

The doctrine of single tax, already on trial in some parts of the world, is his chief contribution to economic theory.

From Stories of Achievement, Volume IV (of 6) Authors and Journalists by Dickinson, Asa Don