úlevy

úlevy is a Hungarian term denoting an additional levy or special tax imposed by public authorities. It is typically temporary and designed to address short-term budgetary needs, such as wartime financing, economic crises, or fiscal adjustments. The word combines the prefix ú- meaning new or additional with levy, a loanword from English meaning a tax or compulsory charge.

Etymology and usage: In modern Hungarian, more common expressions are különadó or ideiglenes adó, and úlevy appears mainly in historical texts, political debate, or legal reform discussions. It describes a charge levied in addition to ordinary taxes, and may be targeted to particular groups or sectors, or to broad-based taxation depending on the period.

Historical context and operation: úlevy were typically enacted by government decree or law and intended as temporary revenue sources. They could apply to individuals, households, corporations, or commodities, and were often justified by necessity or emergency, with sunset clauses or review provisions to limit duration.

Contemporary usage: In current Hungarian policy language, the exact term úlevy is uncommon, even though governments may implement temporary or emergency levies under other legal instruments. The concept persists in descriptions of fiscal reforms or crisis measures rather than as a standing tax category.

See also: levy (tax); tax policy; Hungary tax system; public finance.