tax-free
/'tæks'fri:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not subject to taxation; exempt from taxes: Describes goods, income, funds, or investments on which no tax is levied by the government or relevant authority.
Usage
- The adjective "tax-free" is used to modify nouns, indicating that the item or sum of money is not liable for tax.
- It is typically hyphenated when used attributively (before a noun) but can sometimes be written as two words ("tax free") when used predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "are"), though the hyphenated form is more common in all positions.
Examples
- Attributive use (before a noun):
- She invested in tax-free municipal bonds.
- The airport has a large tax-free shopping zone.
- Predicative use (after a linking verb):
- The interest earned on this account is completely tax-free.
- These goods are tax-free for international travelers.
Advanced Usage
- "tax-free allowance": A specific amount of income or capital gain that one can earn without having to pay tax on it.
- Everyone has a personal tax-free allowance each year.
- "tax-free savings account": A type of account where contributions, interest, and withdrawals are not subject to tax.
- He maxed out his tax-free savings account this year.
Variants and Related Words
- Tax-exempt (adj): Often used interchangeably with "tax-free," especially in formal or legal contexts regarding bonds or organizations.
- The charity has tax-exempt status.
- Untaxed (adj): Similar in meaning but can imply something that has simply not been taxed yet, rather than being legally exempt.
- The untaxed income was later discovered by authorities. (This suggests it should have been taxed, unlike "tax-free.")
Synonyms
- Duty-free: Specifically refers to goods on which import taxes (duties) are not paid, often sold in airports or to travelers.
- Exempt: A broader term meaning free from an obligation or liability, which can include taxes.
Antonyms
- Taxable: Liable to be taxed; subject to taxation.
- Dutiable: Subject to payment of a duty or tax, especially on imports.
Adjective
- (of goods or funds) not taxed
- tax-exempt bonds
- an untaxed expense account