Law Dictionary Definitions

A tax structured so that the effective tax rate decreases as the tax base increases. • With this type of tax, the percentage of income paid in taxes decreases as the taxpayer’s income increases. A flat tax (such as the typical sales tax) is usu. considered regressive — despite its constant rate — because it…

.A tax levied on the owner of property (esp. real property), usu. based on the property’s value. • Local governments often impose property taxes to finance school districts,municipal projects, and the like. — Also termed (specif.) land tax. Cf. income tax; EXCISE. [Cases: Taxation 57–111. C.J.S. Taxation §§ 4, 79–168, 283, 1671–1672, 1674, 1681–1692.] proportional…

A tax on the privilege of carrying on a business or occupation for which a license or franchise is required. [Cases: Licenses 1. C.J.S. Architects § 8; Licenses §§ 2–4.] progressive tax.A tax structured so that the effective tax rate increases more than proportionately as the tax base increases, or so that an exemption remains…

A state tax paid by an insurer on premiums paid by the insured. [Cases: Taxation 140. C.J.S. Taxation §§ 217–218.] [Blacks Law 8th]

A fixed tax levied on each person within a jurisdiction. • The 24th Amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from imposing poll taxes as a condition for voting. — Also termed per capita tax; capitation tax; capitation; head tax. [Cases: Elections 83; Taxation 106. C.J.S. Elections § 29; Taxation §§ 1671–1672.] [Blacks Law 8th]

A state death tax levied in an amount equal to the federal death-tax credit. — Also termed sponge tax. [Blacks Law 8th]

A tax on personal property (such as jewelry or household furniture) levied by a state or local government. [Cases: Taxation 67. C.J.S. Taxation §§ 114, 120, 122, 125, 129–130.] [Blacks Law 8th]

See holding-company tax [Blacks Law 8th]

1. A tax payable by an employer based on its payroll (such as a social-security tax or an unemployment tax). [Cases: Internal Revenue 4849; Taxation 1100. C.J.S. Internal Revenue §§ 740–741; Taxation§ 1779.] 2. A tax collected by an employer from its employees’ gross pay (such as an income tax or a social-security tax). See…

An excise tax imposed for the privilege of carrying on a business, trade, or profession. • For example, many states require lawyers to pay an occupation tax. — Also termed occupational tax. [Cases: Licenses 1. C.J.S. Architects § 8; Licenses §§ 2–4.] [Blacks Law 8th]