From Bachelor Tax To Tattoo Tax: 11 Weird Taxes That Once Existed Around The World

No matter where you live around the world, taxes are something most of us hate, right? Whether it is income tax, service tax, or any other tax, paying it makes us dig our pockets deeper every time. But it hurts even more when the tax is levied on the weirdest of things! Imagine paying tax on the number of windows in your home, or just for being single!

All such weird taxes once existed in the world.

11 Weird Taxes That Once Existed

1.Window tax

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In 1696, in England, William III introduced the infamous window tax, taxing houses based on the number of windows they had. Houses with more than ten windows had to pay a steep ten shillings. Many houses bricked up their windows to reduce the number, which caused health problems. As per the ET report, after 156 years, it was repealed in 1851 following campaigners branding it a "tax on health" and "tax on light and air."

2.Bachelor tax

Remaining single might be your choice, but the state of Missouri in the United States imposes a tax on bachelors (single men), which was first imposed way back in 1820. This tax is levied at $1 every year on unmarried men between 21 and 50 years old. Interestingly, Bachelor Tax was once imposed by many other countries as well, including Germany, South Africa, and Italy, among others, and has now been abolished by many of them.

3. Blueberry tax

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The blueberry tax is levied to stop overharvesting of the fruit, which in turn helps the vegetation thrive, as per the Financial Express report. As the production of wild blueberries is one of the most important agriculture industries in Maine, this tax is levied to protect the industry. In Maine (a state of the United States), a tax on the production of blueberries is levied at one-and-a-half cents per pound.

Also Read: Who Was James Wilson? The Man Who Introduced Income Tax In India

4. Ice Block tax

Arizona levies a tax on bulk purchases of ice (i.e., ice blocks). But surprisingly, on the other hand, purchasing ice cubes is totally exempt from tax. So, if you visit Arizona in the future, make sure you opt for ice cubes to save money.

5. Jock tax

Jock tax is levied on the income of a professional athlete. Many countries in the United States, like California, tax the income earned by a professional athlete in a city or state other than his home city or state. So, while focusing on their practice and training sessions, at the same time, athletes have to take care of their taxes as well.

6. Pumpkin tax

As soon as one hears "Pumpkin,¡± the festival of Halloween comes to mind. But did you know that in New Jersey (United States), though pumpkin is a tax-exempt food, if it is ¡°painted, varnished, or cut and sold as decorations,¡± then it becomes liable to sales tax?

7. Tattoo tax

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People get inked to express their opinions, beliefs, etc., and although many countries make services provided at tattoo parlours exempt, this is not the case in Arkansas. Since 2002, the state of Arkansas has levied a sales tax of 6% on inking services provided by various tattoo studios and parlours.

Also Read: 10 Big Brands That Have Unbelievably Similar Logos

8. Hat tax

The Hat Tax was introduced by the British government for the period 1784¨C1811 on men¡¯s hats. It was based on the idea that a man who owns a large number of expensive hats is very rich as compared to a poor man who might have just one cheap hat or nothing at all. The aim was to earn revenue simply based on a person¡¯s relative wealth.

9. Toilet Flush tax

To keep a check on water consumption, Maryland imposed a higher tax on toilet flushing than the allowed limit of $5 per month (which comes to $60 for a year). The money collected through the toilet flush tax is used for the development of Maryland¡¯s sewage treatment system.

10. Cowardice tax

During the 10th century, to raise money for fighting wars, kings used to levy a ¡°cowardice tax¡± on the people who chose not to fight for any reason (including cowardice or fear). This tax was first levied by King Henry I and was relatively low, but later King John increased the tax rate by 300%.

11.Pet tax

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Towards the end of 2017, the Punjab government announced imposing a tax on the owners of different domestic animals. Two categories of taxes are defined: First, Rs 250 per annum will be charged to the owners of dogs, cats, sheep, pigs, and deer. Second, Rs 500 per annum will be charged for elephants, cows, camels, horses, buffaloes, and bulls.