Taxes or Revenue: Which is the right term?

It is becoming increasingly common to hear American politicians discuss the long term financial viability of the US government. This is a good thing (not that it needs to be discussed, that is a sad fact, but that it is not being ignored). As stewards of the government’s future, they have a fiduciary duty to ensure stability and to meet the obligations of its commitments, debts, etc.

Unfortunately, most of what you hear is rhetoric and sound bites–particularly during an election cycle. What I find somewhat amusing, is the choice of the term “taxes” versus “revenue” when characterizing the money the government takes in. It does not take a highly paid political consultant or marketing genius to realize the choice of one word versus the other brings certain ideas to mind, and is chosen by the speaker with such an awareness. 

Which is correct? Is there a correct term? Can we call shenanigans on those who use one or the other? 

Let’s look at the US Constitution. The term “tax” or “taxes” shows up 9 times: 

• Article 1, Section 2: “Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union… excluding Indians nottaxed…”
• Article 1, Section 8: “The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States…”
• Article 1, Section 9: “… but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation… No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid… No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State…
• Amendment XVI: “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes…”
• Amendment XXIV: “… failure to pay any poll tax or other tax…”
• Amendment XIV: “…excluding Indians not taxed…”

By contrast, the term “revenue” shows up 2 times:

• Article 1, Section 7: “All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives…”
• Article 1, Section 9: “No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce orRevenue to the Ports of one State over those of another…”

The term “tax” (or “taxpayer”) shows up 21 times in the the most recent State of the Union Address; but “revenue” not once. With more time, I am sure an exhaustive comparison could be made of many partisan speeches and various news articles, but given just this evidence, I am not certain that is warranted.

It seems “taxes” is the preferred or official term, leaving “revenue” the more likely to be a euphemism. So the way to address a gap is to reduce government spending and/or increasetaxes. Plain and simple.