exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən 

1

: the act of exempting or state of being exempt : immunity

2

: one that exempts or is exempted

especially : a source or amount of income exempted from taxation

Synonyms

• immunity
• impunity

Examples of exemption in a Sentence

They were granted exemptions from military service.

You can claim a tax exemption for each of your dependents.

Recent Examples on the Web

For married couples filing jointly, the exemption amount increases to $137,000, with a phase-out beginning at $1,252,700. —David Faris, Newsweek, 29 Dec. 2024

Without any action, that means that as of January 1, 2026, the federal estate tax exemption amount will revert to a base value of $5.6 million—adjusted for inflation, that works out to about $7 million per person or $14 million for a married couple. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Go deeper: More kindergartners are getting vaccine exemptions Want more stories like this? —Avery Lotz, Axios, 24 Dec. 2024

Among their requests was codification of the H-1B’s cap exemptions for research jobs to allow nonprofits and academia to sponsor the visas year-round. —Rafael Bernal, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzem(p)-shən 

1

: the act of exempting : the state of being exempt

2

: something that is exempted

Legal Definition

exemption

noun

ex·​emp·​tion ig-ˈzemp-shən 

1

: the act of exempting or state of being exempt

2

: one that exempts or is exempted: as

a

: an amount of income exempted from taxation that may be deducted from adjusted gross income under the tax laws see also Internal Revenue Code compare deduction, exclusion, tax credit

— dependency exemption \ də-​ˈpen-​dən-​sē-​ \

: an exemption that is allowed for each dependent who qualifies under the tax laws (as sections 151 and 152 of the Internal Revenue Code)

Note: Under the federal income tax laws, the dependency exemption is allowed for each dependent whose gross income is less than the exemption or who is a child of the taxpayer and is under 19 or a student under 24.

— personal exemption

: an exemption that is allowed for the taxpayer or for the taxpayer and spouse if filing a joint return

b

: the right created by federal and state laws to exempt specified types of property from a bankruptcy estate

precludes the debtor from using the exemptions in the Bankruptcy Code

also : a type of property that may be claimed as exempt see also Bankruptcy Code

c

: homestead exemption