10 weirdest taxes throughout history

These taxes are strange, unusual, and bizarre to the extent of being weird. Thankfully they are a part of history now…

1. Window Tax

In 1600s England imposed a window tax, which taxed houses based on the number of windows they had. In order to avoid it, many houses started having fewer windows, which

consequently resulted in health problems. Ultimately the tax was repealed.

2. Beard Tax

In 1535, King Henry VIII of England, who wore a beard himself, introduced a tax on beards. In 1700s, Russian Emperor Peter the Great instituted a beard tax, hoping

to modernise the society following European models.

3. Taxes on playing cards

Playing cards were taxed as early as the 16th century. But in 1700s, the English government dramatically raised taxes on it. This led to widespread forgeries of

playing cards to avoid paying taxes. The tax was not removed until 1960.

4. Freedom tax

In Ancient Rome, newly freed slaves were required to pay a tax on their freedom. Slaves could earn their freedom after paying a certain fee to their owners, the

money for which they might have earned after working in several places.

5. Tax on whiskey

Japan imposed a tax on whiskey, which was based on the percentage of alcohol by volume. Hence, whiskey manufacturers started diluting their product (with water)

to avoid the tax.

6. Brick tax

In the 1700’s, England had put a tax on bricks. The more the number of bricks you use, the more the tax you pay. Builders soon realised that they could use bigger bricks

to pay less tax. Soon after, the government caught on and placed a larger tax on bigger bricks. This was eventually repealed in 1850.

7. Salt Tax

The French had a salt tax called the gabelle, which angered many and was one of the contributing factors to the French Revolution. Similarly, in India too, the Salt March (also known as the Dandi March) on March 12, 1930, was seen as an act of defiance against

the British government.

8. Scutage

King Henry I allowed knights to opt out of their duties fight in wars by paying a tax called “scutage”. At first the tax wasn't high, but then King John came to power and

raised it to a rate of 300%.

9. Urine Tax

During the 1st century AD, Rome had placed a tax on urine. The urine from public urinals was sold as an essential ingredient for several chemical processes and also by

launderers as a source of ammonia to clean and whiten woollen togas etc.

10. Tax on pet grooming

This one still exists: In Arkansas, body piercings, pet grooming, and gutter cleaning are all subject to a 6% sales tax.