tax

Money that people or businesses must pay to the government.

• We pay tax on our income.
• The government raised taxes last year.
• How much sales tax will I pay?

How to use it: tax on something (There is a tax on fuel.)

Similar words: levy

Common phrases: income tax, pay tax, tax rate, sales tax

A demand that uses too much of your time, energy, money, or strength.

• The long journey was a tax on my energy.
• These delays place a heavy tax on our patience.
• His duties were a constant tax on his time.

How to use it: a tax on something (The extra work was a tax on her strength.)

Similar words: burden, strain

Common phrases: heavy tax, tax on something

To make a person or business pay money to the government.

• The government plans to tax wealthy people more.
• Small businesses were taxed at a lower rate.
• Are workers taxed on all their earnings?

How to use it: tax someone on something (Workers are taxed on their earnings.)

Common phrases: tax someone heavily, tax the wealthy, tax a company

To require a government payment when something is earned, bought, sold, or owned.

• They tax fuel heavily.
• The government taxed imported goods.
• Should basic food be taxed?

Similar words: levy a tax on

Common phrases: tax income, tax imported goods, tax something heavily

To make someone use so much effort or strength that something becomes difficult.

• This puzzle will tax your brain.
• The climb taxed all our strength.
• Constant delays are taxing my patience.

Similar words: strain, stretch

Common phrases: tax your patience, tax your strength, tax your memory