Legal Definitions - tax base

Definition: Tax base refers to the total amount of property, income, or wealth that is subject to taxation in a particular jurisdiction. It is the aggregate value of the property being taxed by a specific tax.

Example: Let's say that a city imposes a property tax on all residential properties within its limits. The tax base for this tax would be the total value of all residential properties in the city. This includes the value of the land, buildings, and any improvements made to the property.

Another example would be an income tax. The tax base for an income tax would be the total income earned by all individuals and businesses within the jurisdiction. This includes wages, salaries, profits, and any other income sources.

These examples illustrate how tax base refers to the total amount of property, income, or wealth that is subject to taxation. It is important for governments to determine the tax base accurately to ensure that they are collecting the appropriate amount of revenue to fund public services and programs.