Home > West's Encyclopedia of American Law > Tax Rate

The amount of charges imposed by the government upon personal or corporate income, capital gains, gifts, estates, and sales that are within its statutory authority to regulate.

Tax rate schedules are utilized by taxpayers whose taxable incomes exceed certain designated amounts. Separate schedules are provided for married individuals who file jointly, unmarried people who maintain a household, single people, estates, trusts, and married couples who file separate returns.