A
tax (from the
Latin ; "rate") is a financial charge or other levy imposed upon a taxpayer (an individual or
legal entity) by a
state or the functional equivalent of a state to fund various public expenditures. A failure to pay, or evasion of or resistance to taxation, is usually punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many
administrative divisions. Taxes consist of
direct or
indirect taxes and may be paid in money or as its labour equivalent. Few countries impose almost no taxation at all, such as the
United Arab Emirates and
Saudi Arabia.