What is tax avoidance?

Tax avoidance refers to the use of legal methods to minimize one’s tax liability. This can involve various strategies such as taking advantage of deductions, credits, or exemptions that are permitted under tax law. Individuals or businesses engage in tax avoidance not to evade taxes but to reduce the amount they owe in a lawful manner.

For example, contributing to retirement accounts, utilizing tax-loss harvesting, or claiming deductions on investment properties are all acceptable practices that legally lower taxable income. Understanding these legal methods is crucial for effective personal finance management, as they help taxpayers retain more of their income while complying with tax regulations.

The other options reference illegal activities or methods that would not be considered tax avoidance, as they involve evading payment or attempting to hide income from tax authorities. These practices can lead to severe penalties and are not permissible within tax law.