Income taxes are primarily characterized as being what?

Income taxes are primarily characterized as broad-based and progressive. This means that income taxes apply to a wide range of individuals and income levels, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to tax revenue generation. The progressive nature of income tax implies that as an individual's income increases, the tax rate applied to that income also increases. This system is designed to ensure that those with higher incomes contribute a proportionately larger share of their income as taxes, reflecting an ability to pay more without facing undue hardship.

The broad-based aspect ensures that a large segment of the population contributes to tax revenue, which helps distribute the tax burden across various income levels, thus minimizing reliance on a narrow base of taxpayers. As a result, this combination aims for equity in taxation and helps fund government services that benefit the entire community.