Definition ∞ An excise tax is a levy imposed on the manufacture, sale, or consumption of certain goods or services within a country. Unlike sales tax, which is applied at the point of sale, excise taxes are often levied at an earlier stage in the supply chain. These taxes typically target specific products like tobacco, alcohol, or fuel.
Context ∞ While not traditionally applied to digital assets, governments are increasingly exploring various tax regimes for the cryptocurrency sector. Discussions in news reports may consider how existing excise tax principles could be adapted to certain crypto-related activities or transactions. The application of such taxes would significantly impact the cost structure and profitability within the digital asset economy.