income tax

noun

: a tax on the net income of an individual or a business

Examples of income tax in a Sentence

Federal income tax will be deducted from your pay. The new law will lower income taxes for most taxpayers.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Up to 85 percent of Social Security benefits are subject to income tax for single filers making at least $34,000 or joint filers making $44,000 or more. Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025 The Tax Policy Center found that most middle-income earners would pay an additional $1,380 in federal income tax in 2026 if the cuts were not extended. David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2025 In 2022, the top 20% of earners accounted for 87% of federal income tax collections. Editorial, Boston Herald, 10 Aug. 2025 Specifically, the administration wanted to know if the people in question had claimed income tax credit, which can reduce the tax bill for low-income filers. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for income tax

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of income tax was in 1799

Cite this Entry

“Income tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/income%20tax. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

income tax

noun
ˈin-(ˌ)kəm-
: a tax on the income of a person or business

Legal Definition

income tax

noun
: a tax on the net income of an individual or a business compare excise, property tax
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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