tax return

American  

[taks ri-turn] / ˈtæks rɪˌtɜrn /

noun

1. a statement, on an officially prescribed form, of income, deductions, exemptions, etc., and taxes due.

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tax return British  

noun

1. a declaration of personal income made annually to the tax authorities and used as a basis for assessing an individual's liability for taxation

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Etymology

Origin of tax return

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Most refunds are paid out within three weeks of filing a tax return.

From Barron's • Mar. 28, 2026

You do not need a CPA if you have a simple tax return like a standard W-2 income and use recommended tax software.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

Wiederhorn pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and releasing a personal loan guarantee in violation of federal pension law.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

But the agency can dig into a tax return at any time if a false or fraudulent tax return was filed “with the intent to evade tax,” according to the tax code.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

Why must a typical reader struggle to follow an academic article, the fine print on a tax return, or the instructions for setting up a wireless home network?

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• tax form