onerous tax

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "onerous tax" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a tax that is burdensome or oppressive, often implying that it places a heavy financial strain on individuals or businesses. Example: "Many small businesses are struggling to survive under the weight of onerous tax regulations that limit their growth potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Haman dreams up an especially onerous tax plan.

The New York Times

It started with the decision to replace his much criticised banking levy with a less onerous tax on bank profits.

Independent

In a tax inversion, one company buys a rival based in a different country with a less onerous tax policy.

The Guardian - Business

Certainly chief executives today earn salaries that are many times greater than those of their 1950s counterparts, and the wealthiest Americans bear a far less onerous tax burden.

The New York Times

Robert P. Hoffman, a vice president of Oracle, said the higher fees represented "an onerous tax increase on America's most innovative companies".

The New York Times

These include higher transaction costs, currency risks, onerous tax treatments for investing abroad and the difficulty in gathering reliable information about foreign companies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

AS THEIR populations age, many countries are grappling with the problem of how to reshape their onerous, tax-financed pension schemes.

The Economist

Ditto for onerous taxes, record budget deficits and lack of demand.

The New York Times

A new car can run in excess of $200,000 because of onerous taxes and permits.

The New York Times

As president, he would be delighted to let other states offer onerous taxes and lavish services.

The Economist

But if he did sell, he would be subject to onerous taxes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of taxes on economic activity, use "onerous tax" to specifically highlight the burdensome nature of the tax in question. This adds nuance compared to simply saying "high tax".

Common error

While "onerous tax" effectively conveys a burden, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language by using synonyms like "burdensome taxation" or "oppressive levy" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onerous tax" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase where the adjective "onerous" modifies the noun "tax". As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often used to describe a tax that is burdensome or oppressive. The adjective emphasizes the difficulty or hardship associated with the tax.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "onerous tax" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes a tax perceived as burdensome or oppressive. Ludwig AI supports this analysis. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts, indicating a wide range of applicability. While synonyms like "burdensome tax" and "oppressive tax" exist, understanding the nuanced difference helps in choosing the most appropriate term. Using "onerous tax" effectively involves highlighting the oppressive nature of taxation without overusing the phrase, ensuring a balanced and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burdensome tax

Replaces "onerous" with a synonym that also implies a heavy load or difficulty.

oppressive tax

Substitutes "onerous" with a word suggesting that the tax is unjustly harsh or severe.

heavy tax burden

Uses "burden" to directly express the weight or difficulty imposed by the tax.

crushing tax levy

Emphasizes the damaging effect of the tax, suggesting it's overwhelming or destructive.

excessive tax

Highlights that the tax is unreasonably high.

crippling tax rate

Implies the tax rate is so high it severely damages economic activity.

debilitating tax

Suggests the tax weakens or impairs the ability of businesses or individuals to function effectively.

punitive tax

Conveys that the tax is so high it is almost a punishment.

exorbitant tax

Highlights the unreasonable or unjustified scale of the tax.

onerous taxation

Focuses on the system or practice of imposing such taxes, rather than a specific instance.

FAQs

How can I use "onerous tax" in a sentence?

You can use "onerous tax" to describe a tax that is excessively burdensome or difficult to bear. For example, "The small business owners complained about the "onerous tax" imposed by the new legislation.".

What are some alternatives to "onerous tax"?

Some alternatives to "onerous tax" include "burdensome tax", "oppressive tax", or "heavy tax burden". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "onerous tax" and "high tax"?

While both describe taxes that are significant, "onerous tax" implies a sense of difficulty, oppression, or unfairness, whereas "high tax" simply refers to the tax rate being elevated. Consider the specific meaning you'd like to convey.

What makes a tax "onerous"?

A tax is considered "onerous" when it is excessively burdensome, difficult to bear, or creates a significant hardship on individuals or businesses. It often implies a sense of injustice or unfairness in the tax's application.