What Is Tax Efficiency? Tax efficiency is when an individual or business pays the least amount of taxes required by law. A financial decision is said to be tax-efficient if the tax outcome is lower than an alternative financial structure that achieves the same end. Key Takeaways Tax efficiency is when an individual or business
What Is the Tax-Equivalent Yield? The tax-equivalent yield is the return that a taxable bond would need to equal the yield on a comparable tax-exempt municipal bond. The calculation is a tool that investors can use to compare the returns between a tax-free investment and a taxable alternative. Key Takeaways The tax-equivalent yield is the return that a taxable bond
Investopedia / Joules Garcia What Are Taxes? Taxes are mandatory contributions levied on individuals or corporations by a government entity—whether local, regional, or national. Tax revenues finance government activities, including public works and services such as roads and schools, or programs such as Social Security and Medicare. In economics, taxes fall on whoever pays the burden
What Is Tax Evasion? Tax evasion is an illegal activity in which a person or entity deliberately avoids paying a true tax liability. Those caught evading taxes are generally subject to criminal charges and substantial penalties. To willfully fail to pay taxes is a federal offense under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code. Key
What Is Tax-Exempt Commercial Paper? Tax-exempt commercial paper is short-term unsecured debt where the bondholder does not pay federal, state, or local taxes on the interest payments. Key Takeaways Tax-exempt commercial paper is short-term unsecured debt where the bondholder does not pay federal, state, or local taxes on the interest payments.Tax-exempt commercial paper is issued
What Is Tax-Exempt Interest? Tax-exempt interest is interest income that is not subject to federal income tax. In some cases, the amount of tax-exempt interest a taxpayer earns can limit the taxpayer’s qualification for certain other tax breaks. The most common sources of tax-exempt interest come from municipal bonds or income-producing assets inside of Roth
What Is the Tax-Exempt Sector? The tax-exempt sector can refer to either a market niche comprising investment vehicles or nonprofit organizations that are exempt from federal taxes. The term is most often associated with a set of investments that pays tax-exempt interest or dividends. The sector includes bonds, notes, leases, bond funds, mutual funds, money
What Is a Tax Expense? A tax expense is a liability owed to federal, state/provincial, and/or municipal governments within a given period, typically over the course of a year. Tax expenses are calculated by multiplying the appropriate tax rate of an individual or business by the income received or generated before taxes, after factoring in
What is Tax Fraud? Tax fraud occurs when an individual or business entity willfully and intentionally falsifies information on a tax return to limit the amount of tax liability. Tax fraud essentially entails cheating on a tax return in an attempt to avoid paying the entire tax obligation. Examples of tax fraud include claiming false
What Is Tax Free? Tax free refers to certain types of goods and financial securities (such as municipal bonds) that are not taxed. It also refers to earnings that are not taxed. The tax free status of these goods, investments, and income may incentivize individuals and business entities to increase spending or investing, resulting in
