Legal Definitions - Tax

Definition: Tax is a charge of money or property that a government collects from individuals or entities within its authority. It does not include charges for specific goods or services, like bridge tolls or sanitation fees. Taxes are usually based on economic measurements like income, consumption, property, and wealth. Some governments also impose excise taxes on specific goods, like gasoline or cigarettes.

• US Income Tax: The US government collects income tax from individuals and businesses based on their income levels.
• Property taxes: Property owners pay taxes on the value of their land and buildings to the local government.
• Excise taxes: Governments may impose taxes on specific goods, like gasoline or luxury items, to discourage their use or raise revenue.

These examples illustrate how taxes are collected by governments to fund public services and programs. Income tax is used to support national programs like healthcare and education, while property taxes help fund local services like schools and roads. Excise taxes are used to discourage the use of certain goods or raise revenue for specific programs.