Tax
/tæks/
Definitions
3 meaningsA compulsory contribution to the state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits.
/tæks/
A compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits.
The government increased the tax on gasoline.
💡 Simply: It's money you have to give to the government, so they can pay for things like roads, schools, and the police. It's like everyone chipping in.
👶 For kids: Money that people give to the government so the government can pay for important things like schools and roads.
More Examples
Income tax is usually deducted from your salary.
Property tax is based on the value of your house.
How It's Used
"The government collects taxes to fund public services."
"Failure to pay taxes can result in penalties."
To impose a tax on.
/tæks/
The government plans to tax sugary drinks.
💡 Simply: When something is 'taxed,' the government puts a fee on it. It's like adding an extra charge.
👶 For kids: To make someone pay money for something, like the government making you pay money when you buy something.
More Examples
They decided to tax the company's profits.
The government is taxing gasoline.
How It's Used
"The government decided to tax imported goods."
"The new law taxes certain luxury items."
To make heavy demands on someone or something.
/tæks/
To make heavy demands on someone.
The demanding project taxed his patience.
💡 Simply: To really test someone's limits or abilities. Like, if a workout 'taxes' your strength, it pushes you hard.
👶 For kids: To make something hard to do. Like when something makes your body or your mind tired.
More Examples
The marathon taxed her physical limits.
The puzzle taxed his intelligence.
How It's Used
"The long hike really taxed my endurance."
"The complex problem taxed her mind."
Synonyms
Assessment
Duty
Levy
Tariff
Assess
Charge
Burden
Challenge
Exhaust
Strain
Idioms & expressions
tax bracket
A range of income subject to a specific tax rate.
"His income placed him in a higher tax bracket."
tax haven
A country or territory with very low or no taxes.
"Many companies use tax havens to reduce their tax burden."
death and taxes
Something that is inevitable.
"The only certainties in life are death and taxes."
From Middle English taxe, from Old French taxe, from Latin taxāre (“to assess, rate, value”), from taxō (“I handle sharply, assess”).
The word 'tax' has been used in a financial context since the Middle Ages, stemming from the need to assess and collect revenue for governments.
Memory tip
Think of the government TAKING a percentage.