tax, tacks, attacks, a tax

Tax or tax means a sum of money paid to the government, or a levy or charge collected by a government--
There will be a new tax on gasoline; there's an article in the paper.
There is a 6% ( six per cent ) sales tax in our state.
Tax may also mean to levy money, said of a government--
The federal government may tax our incomes.
The government's right to tax our incomes is 100 years old.

Tacks or tacks ( rhymes with tax ) is the plural ( more than one ) of "tack", meaning a small nail, or a pin with a large flat head--
Do you have any tacks? I want to hang up a poster.
Be careful! We spilled a box of tacks.

Tacks may also be the plural of "tack", meaning, generally, direction, or one straight section of a zigzag--
We are trying to follow the course of that sailboat through its many tacks.
His many clever emotional tacks left his friends wondering if he needed professional help.

Tacks may also be the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "tack", meaning to move or steer in a different direction, as part of a zigzag course--
He's not going the wrong way. He sails toward the shore, and then tacks in the opposite direction.
If you follow that boat as it tacks, you would see a zigzag course toward the bay.

Attacks or attacks ( one word ) is the plural of "attack", meaning an aggressive action, or a blow meant to start a fight, a war, or to harm someone, with actions or with words--
The troops will be ready to ward off enemy attacks.
They are playing video games, to be ready in case Mars attacks.
His verbal attacks were sometimes vicious, especially when he felt sorry for himself.

Attacks may also be the plural of "attack", meaning the onset of a disease or illness, mental or physical--
His asthma attacks were sometimes severe enough to require hospitalization.
He suffered from occasional attacks of paranoia.

Attacks or attacks is also the third person singular ( he, she, it ) form of "attack", meaning to start fighting with or to set on aggressively, literally or figuratively--
The troops will be ready if an enemy attacks.
They are playing video games, to be ready in case of Martian attacks.

A tax or a tax ( two words, rhymes with attacks ) means one government levy or charge on something--
There is a tax on this, so that will be an extra ten dollars.
If the government puts a tax on soft drinks, fewer people will buy them.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The writer of this article attacks the new tax on tacks."
"He has attacks of apoplexy when he sees the tax forms."
"If he tacks the tax information behind the window, it will be safe from attacks by the staff."
"When we discuss a tax increase, he tacks in another direction, and then attacks the committee members."

Note--"tax" may be a noun ( thing or idea ), with a singular and a plural form--
This tax is too high.
They are going to raise taxes.
"Tax" may also be a verb ( action word )--
The government may tax our incomes.
The government taxes our incomes.
The government is taxing our incomes.
Note # 2--"tack" may be a noun ( thing or idea ), with a singular and a plural form--
I need a tack to hang this notice.
I need some tacks to hang these notices.
"Tack" may also be a  verb ( action word )--
I tack, you tack, he tacks, we are all tacking.
Yesterday we tacked. Tomorrow we will tack some more.
Note # 3--"attack" may be a noun ( thing or idea )--
One attack or two attacks?
"Attack" may also be a verb ( action word )--
I attack, you attack, he attacks, they attack, we are all attacking.
Yesterday we attacked. Tomorrow we will attack.


or a verb