Departure tax is a fee charged by a country when a person departs it. The word "departure" is pronounced /dɪˈpɑːtʃər/ with stress on the second syllable. The spelling "departure" is derived from the Old French word "departir," meaning to divide or separate. The word "tax" is pronounced /tæks/ with a long "a" sound and stress on the first syllable. It is derived from the Latin word "taxare," meaning to assess or appraise. Therefore, the spelling of "departure tax" reflects the origins and pronunciation of both its constituent words.
Departure tax refers to a fee or levy that is imposed on individuals or passengers departing from a particular country or region. This tax is typically collected by the government or airport authority and is intended to generate revenue, cover infrastructure costs, or fund various services provided at the departure location.
The departure tax is often charged in addition to other taxes or fees already included in the price of a ticket, such as airport fees or security charges. It is important to note that departure tax rates can vary widely depending on the country or region of departure, and they may also differ based on factors such as the class of travel, destination, or citizenship.
The collected departure tax revenue is often utilized for a range of purposes. It can be used to maintain and develop airport facilities, enhance security measures, invest in tourism promotion or environmental sustainability initiatives, or contribute to the general revenue of the government. Departure taxes are particularly common in countries heavily reliant on tourism, as they provide a means to generate additional income from travelers passing through their airports or borders.
While departure taxes can sometimes be structured as a separate payment made by the passenger at the time of departure, they are often included in the ticket price and collected by the airline on behalf of the authorities. Failure to pay the required departure tax may result in penalties or denial of departure.