supertax: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Economic/Financial, Political
Quick answer
What does “supertax” mean?
An additional tax levied on top of a standard or existing tax, usually on income or profits above a specified high level.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An additional tax levied on top of a standard or existing tax, usually on income or profits above a specified high level.
A fiscal policy tool, often progressive in nature, intended to generate government revenue from the wealthiest individuals or most profitable corporations. It can be a surcharge, surtax, or a distinct higher band within a tax system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more historically entrenched in UK political discourse. In the US, 'surtax' is a more common near-synonym.
Connotations
In the UK, it has strong historical connotations (e.g., post-war periods). In the US, it may sound slightly more technical or British.
Frequency
Low frequency in general use. Higher frequency in UK historical, economic, or political texts compared to American ones.
Grammar
How to Use “supertax” in a Sentence
supertax on [noun phrase]supertax for [noun phrase]supertax of [percentage/amount]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “supertax” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The Chancellor threatened to supertax non-domiciled residents.
- The proposal would effectively supertax the banking sector.
American English
- The bill aims to supertax corporate stock buybacks.
- They discussed supertaxing capital gains over ten million dollars.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard/attested]
American English
- [Not standard/attested]
adjective
British English
- supertax band
- supertax proposal
- supertax legislation
American English
- supertax provision
- supertax clause
- supertax scheme
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The proposed supertax on windfall profits caused shares in the energy sector to fall."
Academic
"The 1909 People's Budget and its accompanying supertax marked a significant shift towards progressive fiscal policy in the UK."
Everyday
[Rare in everyday conversation. Might appear as:] "Some politicians are calling for a supertax on billionaires."
Technical
"The legislation defines the supertax as a 15% surcharge applied to corporate taxable income exceeding £2 million."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “supertax”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “supertax”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “supertax”
- Using 'supertax' to refer to any high tax rate rather than an additional layer. *'The 40% income tax is a supertax.' (Incorrect unless it's an add-on to a base rate).
- Confusing it with a completely separate tax (e.g., property tax).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A windfall tax is a one-off tax on unexpected, large profits (e.g., from resource booms). A supertax is a recurring additional tax on high levels of income or profit, not necessarily 'windfall' gains.
Yes, though it is less common and considered a denominative verb (e.g., 'to supertax the rich'). It is mostly found in political or journalistic contexts.
They are very close synonyms and often used interchangeably. 'Surtax' is generally more common in modern American legal and financial terminology, while 'supertax' has a stronger historical flavour in British English.
No, it is a low-frequency term. It appears primarily in historical analysis, discussions of radical economic policy, or in specific technical fiscal contexts. Terms like 'additional rate', 'top rate', or 'surcharge' are often used in current policy debates.
An additional tax levied on top of a standard or existing tax, usually on income or profits above a specified high level.
Supertax is usually formal, economic/financial, political in register.
Supertax: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpətæks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsuːpɚˌtæks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific lexical item]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SUPERimposed TAX: a tax placed on TOP of another tax.
Conceptual Metaphor
TAXATION IS A LAYERED STRUCTURE (with the supertax as an upper, extra layer).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a supertax?