INCOME TAX: A tax on income, including wages, rent, interest, profit, and (usually) transfer payments. The income tax system in the United States includes both a personal income tax and corporate income tax. In general, the U. S. income tax is progressive, but through a number of deductions and other loopholes, it's less so in practice that on paper. See also | tax | income | factor payments | personal income tax | corporate income tax | progressive tax | Internal Revenue Service |