surtax

[ noun sur-taks; verb sur-taks, sur-taks ]

noun

1. an additional or extra tax on something already taxed.
2. one of a graded series of additional taxes levied on incomes exceeding a certain amount.

verb (used with object)

1. to put an additional or extra tax on; charge with a surtax.

surtax

/ ˈsɜːˌtæks /

noun

1. a tax, usually highly progressive, levied on the amount by which a person's income exceeds a specific level
2. an additional tax on something that has already been taxed

verb

1. tr to assess for liability to surtax; charge with an extra tax

surtax

1. A tax added to an existing tax. To help finance the Vietnam War , for example, Congress imposed a surtax on the federal income tax.

Word History and Origins

Origin of surtax¹

1880–85; sur- ¹ + tax; supertax, French surtaxe

Example Sentences

Payroll taxes paid by employers are rising not only to cover payouts to unemployed workers but also a state surcharge and a gradually increasing federal surtax to help pay off the principal on the debt.

From Los Angeles Times

State legislative leaders have added the idea to their budget proposals, suggesting a surtax on the wealthy to fund it.

From Washington Times

Among the tax increases expected to be included in the budget is raising the Medicare surtax on earned and unearned income from 3.8% to 5% for individuals making more than $400,000.

From Washington Times

Japan would adopt a corporate surtax of 4%-4.5% with a deduction of 5 million yen for small firms, while adopting surtax of 1% on incomes for the time being.

From Reuters

Using an insurance surtax to pay for disasters is a strategy that is already in use, in a sense.

From New York Times

Related Words

• expense
• payment
• tax