Money Doesn't Stink: The 12 Strangest Taxes In History

Taxes have always been an essential component of government, frequently expressing the social and economic objectives of the day. Certain taxes in the past have been quite odd, even if the majority of taxes are simple and target sales, property, or income.

These odd taxes often reflect the strategies used by public servants to address social issues in various historical periods. Here, we look at some of the most bizarre taxes ever implemented, such as the Canadian cereal toy tax and the Russian beard tax.

1. Urine Tax (Ancient Rome)

First-century AD Roman emperors Nero and Vespasian introduced a tax on the buying of pee. Because of its ammonia concentration, human urine was a significant resource in ancient Rome and was used for tanning and laundry. The tax brought in a substantial amount of money, which gave rise to the well-known proverb "Pecunia non olet" (money doesn't stink).

2. Window Tax (England, 1696)

Introduced in England as a property tax This tax resulted in a large number of windows being bricked up to avoid payment, with the wealthier a household being assumed to have more windows than any other family. Although it was meant to be a progressive tax, the lack of light and ventilation had negative health effects, which ultimately led to its removal in 1851.

3. Beard Tax (Russia, 1705)

Peter the Great, the Russian Emperor, imposed a tax on beards in an effort to bring Russian society up to date and more in line with Western Europe. Beard-wearing males were required to pay an excise fee and carry a token as identification. England's Henry VIII imposed a levy like this.

4. Hat Tax (England, 1784)

This tax was predicated on the idea that people with more affluence wore increasingly costly hats. To be considered as an authorized seller of headwear, one had to get a license. In London, the fee of a license was two pounds; outside of London, it was five pounds. Renaming their goods allowed hitmakers to evade the levy, and by 1804, a more comprehensive tax on all headgear had been imposed. The levy was removed in 1811, making its brief existence quite brief.

5. Soap Tax (1712, England)

From the Middle Ages forward, some European states established a tax on soap, a practice has lasted for generations. For instance, Great Britain taxed what was then seen to be a luxury good in 1712 and didn't remove it until 1835, making maintaining cleanliness an expensive task for the general public.

6. Playing Cards Tax (England, 16th-20th Century)

Initially, a stamp duty on playing cards was introduced in the 16th century but the tax was dramatically increased in 1710, leading to widespread forgeries. The English tax wasn't removed until 1960. The playing card tax has existed in U.S. states, as well. Alabama's playing card stamp wasn't repealed until 2015.

7. Cowardice Tax (Scutage) (Medieval England)

Knights in medieval culture had the option to forgo military duty by paying a tax derived from the Latin "scutum" (shield), and referred to as scutage. By paying money instead of engaging in combat, knights were able to escape fighting—this "cowardice tax" eventually developed into a general estate tax by the thirteenth century.

8. Candle Tax (England, 1709)

England imposed a tax on candles in 1709, mandating that anybody making candles get a license and pay taxes. When this levy was removed in 1831, candle use became increasingly commonplace. Many families made tax-exempt rush lights by soaking the dried pith of the rush plant in oil or grease, which allowed them to avoid paying the tax while it was in effect.

9. Chinese Head Tax (Canada, 1885)

Canada imposed a tax on Chinese immigrants in an effort to discourage immigration; this eventually developed into a complete prohibition with a few exceptions. This levy was removed in 1923 as a discriminatory practice that reflected the anti-Chinese prejudice of the day. In the 38 years that the tax was in place, the Canadian government collected almost $23 million.

10. Salt Tax (Various Countries)

Salt taxes were widespread because to the mineral's need for human nutrition. Gandhi's rallies in India, for instance, made the British salt tax notorious, serving as a symbol of colonial tyranny and inspiring widespread civil disobedience. One of the numerous factors that led to the French Revolution of 1790 in France was the salt tax.

11. Bribe Tax (Germany, 1970s)

Germany permitted companies to claim bribes paid to foreign authorities as allowable business costs up until the late 1990s. This "bribe tax" Once Germany ratified the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention in 1999, the practice was formally discontinued.

12. Cereal Toy Tax (Canada, 2000)

Canada adopted in 2000 a tax on the toys included inside cereal boxes. The idea was to stop cereal producers from tricking kids into buying unhealthy food by posing as toys. This fee was a component of larger campaigns against childhood obesity. Cereal firms can be awarded tax-exempt status in order to comply with this tax, which is still in effect today.

These levies, which frequently have unforeseen implications and spark public outcry, are a hybrid of economic tactics and social regulations. They emphasize how taxes may be utilized to solve social concerns and impact behavior in addition to bringing in income. Even if some of these taxes appear strange in retrospect, they provide an interesting look at the historical circumstances that influenced them.