sales tax

noun

: a tax levied on the sale of goods and services that is usually calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and collected by the seller

Examples of sales tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The proposal would increase the county’s sales tax by three-eighths of a cent to fund wildfire prevention, fire protection and healthcare access, with 50% of net revenues slated for local hospitals. — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2026

Additionally, the specter of broadening the sales tax base — to include untaxed services such as haircuts, lawn care and auto repair, for example — remains a favorite among the revenue-seeking set here. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026

Building regional hub The announcement follows Wisconsin’s passage of Act 165 earlier this year, becoming the first standalone state law in the United States to exempt capital expenditures on fusion energy projects from state sales tax. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 16 July 2026

Alabama and Puerto Rico's sales tax holidays start this weekend, and Florida's kicks off on Monday. — Courtney Johnston, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sales tax

• almanacs
• carrybacks
• haversacks
• lumberjacks
• maniacs
• microcracks
• minimax
• paperbacks
• parallax
• quarterbacks
• sticklebacks
• telefax

Kids Definition

sales tax

noun

: a tax paid on the purchase of goods and services and collected by the seller

Legal Definition

sales tax

noun

: a tax levied on the sale of goods and services that is usually calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and collected by the seller