excises

Excises, in taxation, are taxes levied on specific goods rather than on general consumption. Known as excise duties, they are indirect taxes collected at production, distribution, or sale within a country. The primary aims are revenue generation and policy influence—often to curb the use of harmful products or to address environmental concerns.

Goods typically subject to excise duties include alcohol, tobacco, and petroleum products; many jurisdictions extend excises to luxury goods or certain services. Excise duties can be specific, assessed as a fixed amount per unit (for example, per liter of fuel), or ad valorem, assessed as a percentage of value. Some systems combine both approaches, and exemptions or reliefs may apply for certain categories or uses.

Administration and impact: Excises are collected by government agencies, commonly under central tax authorities or customs services. Rates and exemptions vary widely by jurisdiction and may change with fiscal or health policy goals. Revenues are used to fund public services or to finance related programs; excises can influence consumer behavior through price signals and accessibility.

Other meanings: The word excise also appears as a verb meaning to surgically remove tissue; the third-person singular present tense is "excises." In taxation, "excises" is the plural noun for multiple excise duties. The term thus has both a legal/financial sense and a medical/legal sense, depending on context.