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

Throughout history, taxes have been a fundamental aspect of governance, often reflecting the economic and social priorities of the times. While many taxes are straightforward, aimed at income, property, or sales, some historical taxes have been quite unusual.

These peculiar levies tend to reveal the solutions government officials devised to deal with societal challenges during different historical eras. Here, we explore some of the strangest taxes ever imposed, including the Russian beard tax and the Canadian cereal toy tax.

1. Urine Tax (Ancient Rome)

During the 1st century AD, Roman emperors Nero and Vespasian implemented a tax on the purchase of urine. Human urine was a valuable commodity in ancient Rome, used in tanning and laundering due to its ammonia content. The tax generated significant revenue, leading to the famous saying, "Pecunia non olet" (money doesn't stink).

2. Window Tax (England, 1696)

Introduced in England as a property tax based on the number of windows in a house – the wealthier a family was, the more windows they were presumed to have – this tax led to many windows being bricked up to avoid payment. It was intended as a progressive tax but had health consequences due to reduced ventilation and light, eventually leading to its repeal in 1851.

3. Beard Tax (Russia, 1705)

Russian Emperor Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards to modernize the appearance of Russian society to match Western Europe. Men who wanted to keep their beards had to pay the tax and carry a token as proof of payment. Henry VIII of England had a similar tax.

4. Hat Tax (England, 1784)

This tax was based on the assumption that wealthier individuals owned more and more expensive hats. Individuals had to take out a license to sell hats to qualify as legitimate hat sellers. Licensure cost two pounds in London, and five pounds outside of London. Hatmakers avoided the tax by renaming their products, leading to a broader tax on all headgear by 1804. The tax was relatively short-lived and was repealed in 1811.

5. Soap Tax (1712, England)

Beginning in the Middle Ages, multiple European governments placed a tax on soap, which persisted for centuries. Great Britain, for example, implemented a tax on what was, at the time, considered a luxury item in 1712 and didn't repeal it until 1835, making cleanliness an expensive endeavor for the populace.

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)

In feudal society, knights could opt out of military service by paying a tax known as scutage, taken from the Latin “scutum” (shield). This "cowardice tax" allowed knights to avoid fighting by paying money instead, evolving into a general tax on knights' estates by the 13th century.

8. Candle Tax (England, 1709)

England imposed a tax on candles in 1709, requiring people to obtain a license and pay taxes on any candles they produced. This tax was repealed in 1831, allowing more widespread candle usage. While the tax existed, many families avoided paying it by creating tax-exempt rushlights, crafted from soaking the dried pith of the rush plant in fat or grease.

9. Chinese Head Tax (Canada, 1885)

Canada imposed a tax on Chinese immigrants to deter immigration, which later evolved into an outright ban with some exceptions. This tax was a discriminatory measure reflecting the anti-Chinese sentiment of the time, and was repealed in 1923. Over the 38 years the levy existed, the Canadian government amassed approximately $23 million.

10. Salt Tax (Various Countries)

Salt taxes were common because of the mineral’s essential role in human consumption. The British salt tax, for example, became infamous during Gandhi's protests in India, symbolizing colonial oppression and sparking widespread civil disobedience. In France, the salt tax was one of many catalysts for the 1790 French Revolution.

11. Bribe Tax (Germany, 1970s)

Until the late 1990s, Germany allowed businesses to deduct bribes paid to foreign officials as legitimate business expenses. This “bribe tax” practice officially ended in 1999 when Germany adopted the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention.

12. Cereal Toy Tax (Canada, 2000)

In 2000, Canada implemented a tax on toys included in cereal boxes. The rationale was to prevent cereal companies from marketing unhealthy food to children through the lure of toys. This tax was part of broader efforts to address childhood obesity. This tax still exists today, and cereal companies can be granted tax-exempt status for compliance.

These taxes reflect a mix of economic strategies and social controls, often leading to unintended consequences and public dissent. They highlight how taxation can be used not only to generate revenue but also to influence behavior and address social issues. While some of these taxes seem bizarre today, they offer a fascinating glimpse into the historical contexts that shaped them.