internal revenue

American  

noun

1. the revenue of a government from any domestic source, usually considered to be any source other than customs.

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internal revenue British  

noun

1. government income derived from taxes, etc, within the country

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Etymology

Origin of internal revenue

An Americanism dating back to 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Dock’s 1894 certificate, signed by a collector of internal revenue in Portland, Ore., lists his occupation as a cook, and his complexion as “dark.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

The internal revenue commissioner testified that the late E.W.

From Salon • Dec. 18, 2021

“Public officials who violate the internal revenue code are perpetually disqualified from holding any public office and participating in election,” Ocampo, who fought the Marcos dictatorship, told Reuters, citing an article of the code.

From Reuters • Nov. 17, 2021

In 1791, Congress passed a measure taxing distilled spirits; it was the first internal revenue act in U.S. history.

From Washington Times • Mar. 3, 2021

So many articles were taxed that the revenue from this source in 1866 amounted to more than $309,000,000, the largest sum collected in one year from internal revenue taxes until 1915.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford