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It is a common knowledge that taxes are financial charges or other levies imposed on taxpayers by a state to fund various public expenditures. What is interesting, there are plenty of taxes all around the world that seem strange and crazy. Below you can find a list of the strangest and most amusing taxes in the United States and abroad.
Taxes have been known to the world since the beginning of civilization. More than 4500 years have passed since the earliest recorded tax was implemented in Mesopotamia. People had to pay taxes all year long in the form of livestock, the preferred currency used during those times. In ancient Egypt, in 700 BC, they used to charge a 10% tax on property transferred at the time of death. This is the earliest known evidence of a death tax. Taxation in the United States dates back to the times of the colonists (1760s).
Years have passed, and lots of changes have been applied to the way people pay taxes in our modern times. The oldest tax form existing in the modern world, an agricultural one, was applied in China and was eliminated in 2006. It was created 2.600 years ago and was called to better rural farmers’ well-being in China.
Interesting to Know
In Germany, there was a tax deduction on bribes. Under certain circumstances, bribery was considered legal until 2002. In 2009, China was in a tough economic crisis. A law was passed to set quotas for cigarette pack sales as a way to increase tax revenue.
Another interesting case is related to Russia. Peter the Great, who was born in 1672 and was one of the most famous czars of Russia, became well known for his efforts to modernize Russia. As a result, beard began to be taxed. To have beard, people had to show they had paid the beard tax.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the window tax was actually considered a tax on wealth in England, Scotland, and Great Britain. The point was that only people who earned more income lived in nicer houses with usually more than 2 windows. Eventually, this tax resulted in bricking up of many windows.
Ireland has passed a law making writers’, visual artists’, composers’, sculptors’ income earned from the sale of their works free of tax. The purpose is to encourage and enhance the arts. However, the law is applicable under certain circumstances.
According to the Tax Justice Network, Switzerland is the best tax haven across the globe. This is because Switzerland has an exceptional level of secrecy and scale of banking operations. The thing is that in 1934 a law was passed in the country, according to which revealing client’s’ identity would be regarded as a criminal offense. Boston Consultancy Group states that today 27% of the world’s offshore wealth is held in Switzerland.
Top Weird Taxes From Around the World
Here are the top 10 strangest taxes from around the world:
Blueberry Tax in Maine
In the state of Maine, the production of wild blueberries is among the most important agricultural industries. The tax put on blueberries is believed to protect them from being over harvested. A penny and a half are taxed for each pound.
Candy Tax in Chicago
In Chicago, candies prepared with flour are classified as “food,” that’s why they are normally taxed. Candies prepared without flour are considered “candies,” so they are taxed an additional 5.25% merchandise rate. This rule is applied for soft drinks as well.
Cow Flatulence Tax in Ireland and Denmark
Cow flatulence, which is a key producer of methane, plays an immense role in global warming. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, the “byproducts” of livestock like cows count for nearly 18% of the greenhouse gases. Cattle owners in Ireland and Denmark, and in other EU countries, are taxed on cow flatulence.
Film Tax Break in Britain
Britain has passed a tax rule, according to which tax deductions should be applied to films considered “culturally British.” To claim a tax deduction, films have to register their production and get rated through a special mathematical “culture test.” Films that get at least 16 out of 31 points obtain up to a 25% tax break.
Google Tax in France
According to the Ministry of Culture in France, taxing online advertisements like those found on Facebook, Google, and Digg can count for up to $29 million annually. This is also true of Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL. France determined to use this revenue to support artists and cultural information centers operating online for citizens of France.
Jock Tax in California
In 1991, California imposed the Jock Tax. Since then, half of the states have adopted a Jock Tax, according to which a cut is being taken from high-paid heroes to be put to work for local communities.
Name Tax in Sweden
In Sweden, there is a tax for giving your baby a name that is not being used yet. This is also true of misspelt names, and names such as “Apple.”
Playing Card Tax in Alabama
Alabama is not famous for casinos. The reason is that there is a 10-cent playing card tax for a deck of cards purchased in Alabama.
Tax Break on Cereal Toys in Canada
In Canada, there is a tax exempt status for makers of children’s breakfast cereal. It is granted to those makers whose cereals contain free toys. Only, this exemption is applicable for toys that are not “wine, beer, or liquor.”
Tethered Hot Air Balloon Tax in Kansas
In Kansas, hot air balloons that do not fly anywhere (are tethered to the ground) are taxable Hot air balloons that travel or are piloted are not taxed. Paying taxes is a must and you cannot avoid your tax liabilities. Many of taxes were historically implemented to increase revenue. Others were called to enhance social change. Happily, most of the taxes to be paid in our modern times are not as strange and funny as the ones mentioned above.
Taxes have been known to the world since the beginning of civilization. More than 4500 years have passed since the earliest recorded tax was implemented in Mesopotamia. People had to pay taxes all year long in the form of livestock, the preferred currency used during those times. In ancient Egypt, in 700 BC, they used to charge a 10% tax on property transferred at the time of death. This is the earliest known evidence of a death tax. Taxation in the United States dates back to the times of the colonists (1760s).
Years have passed, and lots of changes have been applied to the way people pay taxes in our modern times. The oldest tax form existing in the modern world, an agricultural one, was applied in China and was eliminated in 2006. It was created 2.600 years ago and was called to better rural farmers’ well-being in China.
Interesting to Know
In Germany, there was a tax deduction on bribes. Under certain circumstances, bribery was considered legal until 2002. In 2009, China was in a tough economic crisis. A law was passed to set quotas for cigarette pack sales as a way to increase tax revenue.
Another interesting case is related to Russia. Peter the Great, who was born in 1672 and was one of the most famous czars of Russia, became well known for his efforts to modernize Russia. As a result, beard began to be taxed. To have beard, people had to show they had paid the beard tax.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the window tax was actually considered a tax on wealth in England, Scotland, and Great Britain. The point was that only people who earned more income lived in nicer houses with usually more than 2 windows. Eventually, this tax resulted in bricking up of many windows.
Ireland has passed a law making writers’, visual artists’, composers’, sculptors’ income earned from the sale of their works free of tax. The purpose is to encourage and enhance the arts. However, the law is applicable under certain circumstances.
According to the Tax Justice Network, Switzerland is the best tax haven across the globe. This is because Switzerland has an exceptional level of secrecy and scale of banking operations. The thing is that in 1934 a law was passed in the country, according to which revealing client’s’ identity would be regarded as a criminal offense. Boston Consultancy Group states that today 27% of the world’s offshore wealth is held in Switzerland.
Top Weird Taxes From Around the World
Here are the top 10 strangest taxes from around the world:
Blueberry Tax in Maine
In the state of Maine, the production of wild blueberries is among the most important agricultural industries. The tax put on blueberries is believed to protect them from being over harvested. A penny and a half are taxed for each pound.
Candy Tax in Chicago
In Chicago, candies prepared with flour are classified as “food,” that’s why they are normally taxed. Candies prepared without flour are considered “candies,” so they are taxed an additional 5.25% merchandise rate. This rule is applied for soft drinks as well.
Cow Flatulence Tax in Ireland and Denmark
Cow flatulence, which is a key producer of methane, plays an immense role in global warming. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, the “byproducts” of livestock like cows count for nearly 18% of the greenhouse gases. Cattle owners in Ireland and Denmark, and in other EU countries, are taxed on cow flatulence.
Film Tax Break in Britain
Britain has passed a tax rule, according to which tax deductions should be applied to films considered “culturally British.” To claim a tax deduction, films have to register their production and get rated through a special mathematical “culture test.” Films that get at least 16 out of 31 points obtain up to a 25% tax break.
Google Tax in France
According to the Ministry of Culture in France, taxing online advertisements like those found on Facebook, Google, and Digg can count for up to $29 million annually. This is also true of Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL. France determined to use this revenue to support artists and cultural information centers operating online for citizens of France.
Jock Tax in California
In 1991, California imposed the Jock Tax. Since then, half of the states have adopted a Jock Tax, according to which a cut is being taken from high-paid heroes to be put to work for local communities.
Name Tax in Sweden
In Sweden, there is a tax for giving your baby a name that is not being used yet. This is also true of misspelt names, and names such as “Apple.”
Playing Card Tax in Alabama
Alabama is not famous for casinos. The reason is that there is a 10-cent playing card tax for a deck of cards purchased in Alabama.
Tax Break on Cereal Toys in Canada
In Canada, there is a tax exempt status for makers of children’s breakfast cereal. It is granted to those makers whose cereals contain free toys. Only, this exemption is applicable for toys that are not “wine, beer, or liquor.”
Tethered Hot Air Balloon Tax in Kansas
In Kansas, hot air balloons that do not fly anywhere (are tethered to the ground) are taxable Hot air balloons that travel or are piloted are not taxed. Paying taxes is a must and you cannot avoid your tax liabilities. Many of taxes were historically implemented to increase revenue. Others were called to enhance social change. Happily, most of the taxes to be paid in our modern times are not as strange and funny as the ones mentioned above.
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