Almost every country can boast of some unusual taxes that its citizens had to pay in different periods of history.
Taxes provided by the legislation of all countries. However, there are some that cause if not smile, then certainly puzzling.
At different times in different socio-economic formations there were different taxes. Today we present you a selection of the most unusual, and sometimes ridiculous taxes that existed in different countries at different times.
Tax on life
The tax, from which is impossible to avoid, was literally sucked from the finger in England in the 14th century. Called it a tax on life, “forgotten”, that life is given to us by God completely free.
Tax freedom
Knowing about the existence of a tax on life, information about tax freedom is not a cause for bewilderment. In such circumstances, it arises as if by itself. And where but in Rome he was shown to appear – slaves paid the wages of the owner for the release and Rome – as tax free.
A tax on air
This tax today would be called environmental tax. It charged in Byzantium c rich people because of their large home deprive people of a significant volume of air from surrounding.
A tax on cowardice
This tax is akin to the current law on compulsory military service. Paid him by the British, not wishing to participate in Royal campaigns.
Tax on hat
Again in England. A tax on the right to wear hats. Citizens it costs £ 2 a year, and villagers – 5 shillings.
A tax on toilets
The well-known phrase “Money does not smell” came into circulation with the light hand of the Roman Emperor Vespasian in the beginning of our era after the introduction of the so-called tax on the toilets. The Emperor, giving a sniff of bills to his son, who was not thrilled with the idea of a father, said this famous phrase. The Romans, said to have agreed to pay, because public toilets were obviously very popular and not only in order to defecate, but just to meet.
Unusual taxes in Russia. A tax on beard
Tsar Peter I, wanting to instill Russian boyars European culture, forbade the latter wearing a beard, and those who did not want to shave her to pay the tax. The peasants were free to wear a beard in the villages, traveling to the city had to pay 1 penny. Mandatory for bearded men was also wearing his coat with the collar. There is no coat – pay a fine.
Tax on home sauna and a tax on idle capital
This tax can also be considered a kind of prototype of today’s income tax. Want to bathe – pay! Peter also believed that the capital must work to replenish the Treasury, and “broken” – to be seized.
A tax on eye color
The discriminatory tax after tax life was set in the 18th century in Bashkiria. A tax on eye color was aimed at preserving the purity of marriage. Because the indigenous Bashkirs eyes were black, the owners of eyes of a different color were required to pay this tax. Albinos pay the highest tax rate.
A tax on childlessness
A tax on childlessness, which existed in the USSR, resembles an inverted program of the parent capital. At least, the goal is the same for both regulations – assistance to mothers of large families.
The tax on alcohol
This tax was aimed at combating alcoholism. Was installed in 1985. Did not stick. Although identical measure exists – the excise tax on alcohol. In addition, now in Russia there is a system of penalties for smokers.
Tax extenders of consciousness
That’s what the tax really need in all countries of the world – on expanders of consciousness. Strange name, but good idea. We are talking about the tax on drugs, which was legalized in the American state of Tennessee in 2005. However, there is the RUB, not entirely logical – if a person is detained for drug trafficking, and figure out that he paid the tax, he will be treated with leniency.
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