withholding tax

noun

: a deduction (as from wages, fees, or dividends) levied at a source of income as advance payment on income tax

Examples of withholding tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In May, President Donald Trump's administration ended the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments, beginning to collect on defaulted debt through withholding tax refunds and other federal payments to borrowers. —Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026

In May, the Trump administration ended the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments, beginning to collect on defaulted debt by withholding tax refunds and other federal payments to borrowers. —Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2026

In May, the Trump administration ended the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments, beginning to collect on defaulted debt through withholding tax refunds and other federal payments to borrowers. —Annie Ma, Fortune, 24 Dec. 2025

The Trump administration in May ended the pandemic-era pause on student loan payments and began collecting on defaulted debt by withholding tax refunds and other federal payments to borrowers. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for withholding tax

• anticlimax
• counterattacks
• hemothorax
• mesothorax
• metathorax
• pneumothorax
• almanacs
• carrybacks
• haversacks
• lumberjacks
• maniacs
• microcracks

Kids Definition

withholding tax

noun

: a deduction (as from one's wages) taken at a source of income (as one's employer) as an advance payment of income tax

Legal Definition

withholding tax

noun

with·​hold·​ing tax

: a deduction (as from wages, fees, or dividends) levied at a source of income as advance payment on income tax