sales tax

noun

: a tax levied on the sale of goods and services that is usually calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and collected by the seller

Examples of sales tax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Sun Sentinel Florida House Speaker proposes historic, permanent state sales tax cut The change would need approval from the full Legislature and the governor. South Florida Sun Sentinel, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025 The sales tax proposal is a bold, ambitious goal that matches Gov. Ron DeSantis’ recent suggestion to cut property taxes. Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025 Unlike many of those income tax rate-reducing plans, however, Speaker Smith, House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Bruce Bannister (R-Greenville), and their colleagues are facilitating income tax rate reduction without applying the sales tax to previously untaxed services. Patrick Gleason, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 To help offset the impact on property taxes, Senate Democrats are proposing to lower the state sales tax rate from 6.5% to 6%, something not in the House plan. Melissa Santos, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sales tax

Word History

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sales tax was in 1921

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Cite this Entry

“Sales tax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sales%20tax. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sales tax

noun
: a tax paid on the purchase of goods and services and collected by the seller

Legal Definition

sales tax

noun
: a tax levied on the sale of goods and services that is usually calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and collected by the seller

More from Merriam-Webster on sales tax

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