10 Craziest Taxes That Ever Existed (11 Photos)

In all countries, people have to pay taxes, whether on purchases or personal income, but there are some that border on insanity. If you are unhappy that you have to pay a duty when buying a car, then what can you say about the strangest taxes in the history of mankind.





Dance tax



Egypt boasts one of the most original taxes of our time. Belly dancers must diligently replenish the state treasury with their money. This art brings, according to various estimates, up to 400 million dollars a year.

Peace tax





West African countries are among the poorest in the world. But despite this, residents are still subject to taxes, some of which can be considered absurd. For example, citizens of the Republic of Guinea, almost the entire population of which lives below the poverty line, still pay a peace tax, although no military operations are currently taking place in the country. Each year of peaceful life costs the country's residents approximately 17 euros.

Cow tax



If a European resident owns one or more cows, then he has to pay a special tax. Scientists have found that cow flatulence causes the release of greenhouse gases. Denmark has the highest tax: $110 per cow.

Quit smoking tax



Most countries around the world impose additional taxes on cigarettes, and in cases like China's Hubei province, this money was important to fill the tax coffers. Due to the economic crisis, a monetary penalty for non-smokers was introduced in 2009 to encourage cigarette purchases and tax collection.

Holiday tax



In the US state of Pittsburgh, it is profitable to be a bored person, since there is a 5% tax on any object or spectacle that provides entertainment. To save money, it's better to look at the ceiling.

Barbecue tax



In 2007, Belgium introduced a tax on barbecues. According to the law, residents must pay 20 euros to the treasury if they want to enjoy fried meat. Researchers have calculated that when cooking over a fire, 50 to 100 grams of carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere, which contributes to the formation of the greenhouse effect.

Noise tax



This strange tax was introduced in 1980 in the two largest cities of Switzerland - Geneva and Zurich. We are talking about the excessively loud sounds that planes make during takeoff.

Breast tax



Women from the lower castes of India in the early seventeenth century had to pay a fairly high tax to appear in public with their breasts covered. Poor women were considered to have no right to modesty, and the value varied depending on breast size or how attractive they were considered to be by collectors. This tax was abolished in 1840.

Bathhouse tax



Peter I came up with and introduced a tax on baths. In 1704, a decree was issued according to which the first-ranking merchants and Duma assessors gave 3 rubles from home baths, poor merchants - 1 ruble, and peasants - 15 kopecks.

Life tax



The British government in the 14th century decided to impose a living tax on its population. This absurdity caused popular unrest and turned into a large-scale riot.