direct tax

Direct Tax

A tax that cannot be shifted to another person or entity. For example, taxes on income or assets are direct taxes, as the person or organization on whom they are levied must pay them directly. Direct taxes differ from indirect taxes, such as sales tax, which is levied on a seller but is paid by buyers. There is disagreement as to whether a corporate tax is a direct tax or indirect tax.

direct tax

A tax paid by the individual or organization on which it is levied. For example, the personal income tax is levied on individuals, who end up bearing the entire burden of the tax. A direct tax cannot be shifted from the entity on which it is levied. Compare indirect tax.

direct tax

a TAX imposed by the government on the income and wealth of persons and businesses in order to raise revenue, redistribute income and wealth, and as an instrument of FISCAL POLICY in managing the economy. The main forms of direct tax in the UK are INCOME TAX, CORPORATION TAX, NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS and INHERITANCE TAX. See BUDGET (GOVERNMENT).

direct tax

a TAX levied by the government on the income and wealth received by individuals (households) and businesses in order to raise revenue and as an instrument of FISCAL POLICY. Examples of a direct tax are INCOME TAX, NATIONAL INSURANCE CONTRIBUTIONS, CORPORATION TAX and WEALTH TAX.

Direct taxes are incurred on income received, unlike indirect taxes, such as value-added taxes, that are incurred when income is spent Direct taxes are progressive, insofar as the amount paid varies according to the income and wealth of the taxpayer. By contrast, INDIRECT TAX is regressive, insofar as the same amount is paid by each tax-paying consumer regardless of his or her income. See TAXATION, PROGRESSIVE TAXATION, REGRESSIVE TAXATION.