Well, it’s your favorite time of the year – tax season! Haha. Just kidding, I know it’s Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWD). Sorry, around this time of the year I start to go crazy. It’s because of the long cold stretches here in Eastern Washington. The nearby golf courses are still closed, and I’m done with my taxes and ready for some sun!
Anyway, I just finished up my taxes and found this tax-related article that made me laugh…and cringe. I’m hoping this list of strange and unusual taxes will put a smile on your face during this trying time too.
For example, did you know the IRS requires you to report income from illegal activities like selling drugs? Seriously, who’s crazy enough to self-report that? Fortunately, I have nothing to report in that regard, sir.
Here are 5 more weird taxes to laugh and cry about.
1. Pee Tax
Imagine having to pay a tax on pee. Back in the Roman era, in the 1st century AD, Roman emperor Vespasian placed a tax on the collection and distribution of urine. The urine was scavenged from public urinals and sold to tanners and launderers. I’m not totally sure what tanners used it for, but launderers used the ammonia in the urine to bleach togas.
2. Beard Tax
In the late 17th century, Tsar Peter I of Russia, began taxing people who wore beards. It was part of an effort to modernize and westernize Russia and existed for much of the 1700s. If you refused to shave, the police were empowered to forcibly and publicly shave your beard for you. Hey, a free shave! There was even a “beard token” people who paid the tax needed to carry.
3. Freedom Tax
Slavery was a common practice in Ancient Rome, and slaves who were able to buy their freedom from their owners had to pay a tax on that freedom. Luckily, slavery was abolished under the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833, but that doesn’t make up for its stain on humanity. Unfortunately, slavery has been an all-to-common theme throughout world history. This one is by far the most egregious to me.
4. Cowardice Tax
King Henry I, allowed knights who were “lovers” and not “fighters” to opt out of war participation by paying a “scutage.” This scutage, otherwise known as the cowardice tax, wasn’t very high at first, but when King John came to power, he raised it to a rate of 300 percent. Many believe this massive increase was a large contributing factor in the creation of the Magna Carta, which limited the King’s power.
5. Fart Tax
We began with one of the silliest taxes and that’s how we are finishing. Perhaps, it’s my immaturity. Or maybe it’s just nice to have a little fun with an all too stressful topic: paying taxes. So, let’s talk about the “Fart Tax.”
In recent years, EU nations started taxing cattle owners on cow flatulence. Cow flatulence, usually referred to as farting, produces methane, which is thought to be one of the leading causes of global warming. And while many people might agree with this tax, taxing farts is still kind of funny to think about.
Final Thoughts on Weird Taxes
There are seemingly endless examples of unusual taxes throughout world history to talk about. And England seems to be one of the more prolific places for these silly taxes.
If you live here in the United States, you know we’re not immune to absurdities though. Hopefully, during this time of year, you can take comfort in knowing that just about everyone has had to pay taxes at some point, and many of those before us have had to deal with the most ridiculous taxes and quirky tax deductions too.