Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Sin Tax

Filed Under » ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Sin Tax'

A state-sponsored tax that is added to products or services that are seen as vices, such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling. These type of taxes are levied by governments to discourage individuals from partaking in such activities without making the use of the products illegal. These taxes also provide a source of government revenue.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Sin Tax'

Sin taxes are typically added to liquor, cigarettes and other non-luxury items. State governments favor sin taxes because they generate an enormous amount of revenue and are usually easily accepted by the general public because they are indirect taxes that only affect those who use the products. When individual states run deficits, the sin tax is typically one of the first taxes recommended by lawmakers to help fill the budget gap.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    Tax Tips For The Individual Investor

    We give you seven guidelines to help you keep more of your money in your pocket.

  2. How Influential Economists Changed Our History

    Find out how these five groundbreaking thinkers laid our financial foundations.

  3. Socially Responsible Investing Vs. Sin Stocks

    Can your principles make you richer or poorer? Find out if it pays pick your portfolio based on ethics.

  4. The Evolution Of Sinful Investing

    Like beauty, whether something is sinful often depends whom you ask.

  5. Has Income Tax Become A Class Tax On The Poor?

    With more than 33% of American families falling close to the poverty line despite their adult members holding full-time employment, a rising number of citizens are being forced to pay a rate ...

  6. How The 2014 Obama Budget Could Affect Your Finances

    Depending on which estimate you believe, Obama's proposed budget would raise the tax bill of a household with a yearly income of $50,000 to $75,000 between $63 and $100 per year. However, that’s ...

  7. Austerity: When The Government Tightens Its Belt

    When a government tightens its belt in tough economic times the entire nation feels the squeeze.

  8. How To Deduct Your Job Search Expenses

    With approximately 12 million Americans out of a job right now, many people are spending significant dollars to be noticed by potential employers. Fortunately, some of these job-search costs ...

  9. Are IRS-Prepared Tax Returns The Solution To Our Tax Woes?

    The government is considering letting the IRS do your taxes for you. While this may sound great, there are plenty of reasons why you may not want to trust the IRS to calculate your tax return. ...

  10. Approved: Paying Online Sales Tax

    States will now be allowed to collect sales taxes on purchases made from Internet-based retailers even if the retailer has no physical presence in that state.
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  2. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  3. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.

  4. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.

  5. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.

  6. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
Trading Center