tax return

American  

[taks ri-turn] / ˈtæks rɪˌtɜrn /

noun

tax returns plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• tax returns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tax return

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Taxpayers were already generally entitled to penalty relief for first-time missteps like an unfiled tax return or unpaid taxes.

From MarketWatch • Jul. 8, 2026

This system is a bit like how a self-employed person can file expenses on their self-assessment tax return for things like uniform or training.

From BBC • Jun. 26, 2026

The state board’s records show the Valley Bureau Foundation fell out of compliance in 2022 for “failure to file” a tax return.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

He was wronged by the IRS leak of his tax return, but this payment deal is rotten.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

“The IRS would have taken his tax return for child support if he’d filed and, if he had a job, the state would have garnished his wages.”

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• tax form