What is tax? Pronunciation and usage in English

tax means . Learn how to pronounce and use tax through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of tax

taxnoun

/taks/
Definition & pronunciation of tax

The word "tax" is pronounced taks.

Here's a breakdown:

  • ta - like the "ta" in "father"
  • ks - like the "ks" in "box"

You can hear it pronounced here: https://www.merriam-Webster.com/audio/pronunciation/taks

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Usage and examples with the word tax in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tax" in English. It's a surprisingly complex word with a lot of nuances! Here's a guide, categorized for clarity:

1. Basic Definition: A mandatory payment made by individuals and businesses to a government.

  • Simple Sentence: "Everyone pays taxes to the government."
  • More Formal: "The government levies taxes to fund public services."

2. Types of Taxes (Common Categories):

  • Income Tax: This is based on the money you earn.
    • "I pay income tax on my salary."
    • “The new income tax laws are complicated.”
  • Sales Tax: Added to the price of goods and services when you buy them.
    • “There’s a sales tax of 6% on this item.”
    • "The price includes sales tax."
  • Property Tax: Tax on land and buildings.
    • "We pay property tax annually."
  • Payroll Tax: Taxes employers withhold from employee wages (e.g., Social Security, Medicare).
    • "Our payroll tax is deducted from each employee's paycheck."
  • Value-Added Tax (VAT): A tax on the value added at each stage of production and distribution. (Common in many countries outside the US).
    • "The VAT rate increased last year."
  • Corporate Tax: Tax on profits earned by companies.
    • "Large corporations pay significant corporate taxes."

3. Different Ways to Use "Tax" – Phrases & Expressions:

  • Tax evasion: Avoiding paying taxes illegally.
    • "He was arrested for tax evasion."
  • Tax relief: Reductions in taxes.
    • "The government is offering tax relief for first-time homebuyers."
  • Tax burden: The total amount of taxes paid by an individual or group.
    • “Citizens are concerned about the increasing tax burden.”
  • Tax deductible: Something that can be subtracted from your taxable income.
    • "Medical expenses are tax deductible."
  • Tax return: The form you fill out to report your income and calculate your taxes.
    • "I need to file my tax return by April 15th."
  • Tax payer: Someone who pays taxes.
    • "I am a responsible tax payer.”
  • Tax base: The amount on which taxes are calculated. (e.g., income tax base is your taxable income).
  • Tax revenue: The money collected in taxes. “The government’s tax revenue increased this year.”

4. Grammar Notes:

  • "Tax" is usually uncountable: You generally say "taxes" (plural) rather than "a tax." (Though you can sometimes use "a tax rate" – “What’s the tax rate?”)
  • Verb form: "Tax" can also be used as a verb meaning to impose or collect taxes. "The government taxes income."

5. Context is Key:

The specific meaning of "tax" will depend on the context of the conversation or writing.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use the word "tax" in? (e.g., a conversation, a writing assignment, etc.)
  • Are there any specific types of taxes you're interested in learning about?

Synonyms for the word tax

Practice with vocabulary tax

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The government levies a high ________ on luxury goods to generate revenue.
  2. Individuals must file their income ________ returns by the specified deadline each year.
  3. Many universities require students to pay an annual tuition ________ in addition to other charges.
  4. The company's quarterly ________ showed a significant increase in profits due to new market strategies.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following is a mandatory financial charge or other levy imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organization? A) donation B) gratuity C) tax D) penalty

  2. A country's fiscal policy often involves adjusting which of these to manage the economy? A) interest rates B) government spending C) income tax D) import tariffs

  3. Businesses often aim to minimize their ________ burden through strategic planning and legal deductions. A) cost B) tax C) overhead D) debt

  4. When importing goods from another country, businesses typically have to pay an import ________. A) charge B) fee C) duty D) levy

  5. The independent ________ of the property's value determined its market price. A) estimation B) evaluation C) assessment D) judgment

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government decided to impose a new financial burden on fossil fuel consumption.
  2. Many citizens complain about the high amount of money they have to pay to the state from their earnings.
  3. The company's earnings after all expenses were deducted were significantly lower this quarter.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. tax
  2. tax
  3. fee
  4. revenue

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) tax
  2. B) government spending, C) income tax, D) import tariffs
  3. B) tax
  4. C) duty
  5. B) evaluation, C) assessment

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government decided to tax fossil fuel consumption.
  2. Many citizens complain about their high taxation burden. (or: ...about their high income tax.)
  3. The company's net profit was significantly lower this quarter.

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