INCOME TAXATION
TAXES & TAX LAWS
NATURE OF TAXES
TAXES
are forced burdens, charges, exactions, impositions or contributions assessed in accordance with some
reasonable rule of appointment, by authority of a sovereign state, upon the person, property, or rights
exercised, within its jurisdiction, to provide public revenues for the support of the government, the
administration of the law, or the payment of public expenses.
 Taxes are obligations created by law.
 Taxes are generally personal to the taxpayer.
ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TAXES
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Enforced contribution.
Imposed by legislative body.
Proportionate in character.
Payable in form of money.
Imposed for the purpose of raising revenue.
Used for a public purpose.
Enforced on some persons, properties or rights.
Commonly required to be paid at regular intervals.
Imposed by the sovereign state within its jurisdiction.