Princeton's WordNet(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition: 1  word(noun) a unit of language that native speakers can identify. words are the blocks from which sentences are made; he hardly said ten words all morning. 2  word(noun) a brief statement. he didn't say a word about it.
An aspect of fiscal policy. A sales tax is a tax paid to a governing body for the sales of certain goods and services. Usually laws allow (or require) the seller to collect funds for the tax from the consumer at the point of purchase. When a tax on goods or services is paid to a governing body directly by a consumer, it is usually called a use tax.
Sales taxes usually get paid on such things as cars, clothing and movie tickets. Sales taxes are an important source of revenue for most states and some large cities and counties. The tax rate varies from state to state, and the list of taxable goods or services also varies from one state to the next. Excise taxes, sometimes called luxury taxes, are used by both state and Federal Governments.