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tax evasion

American  

noun

  1. the nonpayment of taxes, as through the failure to report taxable income.


tax evasion British  

noun

  1. reduction or minimization of tax liability by illegal methods Compare tax avoidance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tax evasion

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Earlier this year, ministers announced a £30m enforcement operation targeting high street businesses suspected of money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.

From BBC Aug. 10, 2026

Comedian Carlos Mencia, who broke out in the early 2000s with his Comedy Central series “Mind of Mencia,” was arrested Thursday morning in Los Angeles on suspicion of a dozen felony tax evasion counts.

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 18, 2026

“We are seeing fewer routine criminal tax cases of tax evasion and tax fraud being initiated,” Lee said in an interview.

From Barron's Apr. 9, 2026

With large unpaid sums at stake, tax evasion counts as a felony that can lead to prison time.

From MarketWatch Apr. 6, 2026

He respected the law, the nation, and tradition, and no one could accuse him of any greater offense than tax evasion.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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