Tax is money that people and businesses are required by law to pay to the government. Governments use tax money to pay for things everyone needs, like schools, roads, police officers, firefighters, libraries, and parks. Without taxes, there would be no way to fund these shared services.

There are different kinds of taxes. When your parents buy something at a store, they usually pay sales tax, which adds a small percentage to the price. When adults earn money from their jobs, they pay income tax on what they make. People who own homes pay property tax to their local government. Each type of tax helps fund different government services.

The word can also mean to make heavy demands on something. A difficult hike might tax your endurance, meaning it pushes your physical limits. A complicated puzzle could tax your brain. When something is taxing, it requires serious effort or drains your energy.

Throughout history, disagreements about taxes have sparked major events. The American Revolution began partly because colonists believed “taxation without representation” was unfair: they had to pay taxes to Britain but had no voice in the British government. Even today, people debate how much tax is fair and what governments should spend tax money on.