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- The word “tax” originates from the Latin verb taxare meaning to “estimate, evaluate, appraise and assess.” Sin Tax
- A “sin tax” is levied on goods considered harmful such as alcohol, tobacco, drugs, soda, coffee and gambling.
- There once was a “crack tax” imposed on illegal drugs in Tennessee.
- Some states tax candy unless it contains flour so Kit Kat lovers are safe.
- In California, food from a vending machine costs an extra 33 percent in taxes.
- Double amputees in Oregon are eligible for a $50 tax credit.
- If you own a TV in England, you pay an annual television tax but if you’re blind you’ll only need to pay half.
- Citizens of the Cayman Islands do not pay income taxes.
- In New Mexico, non-dependent centenarians are exempt from filing and paying income taxes.
- The Whistleblower Informant Award is money paid to people who inform the IRS of persons who fail to pay taxes.
- In 1696, King William III of England imposed a tax on windows that lasted 156 years. Window Tax
- In 1882, there was a vote in Maine to “tax blueberry lands based on its value and income.”
- New York has a sliced bagel tax. An uncut bagel is tax exempt but any preparation subjects it to be taxed.
- In Alaska, there is a whaling captain deduction even though whaling in the U.S. is illegal.
- If you feel the desire for body art, piercings or laser hair removal don’t go to Arkansas or you’ll get taxed.
- There was a Playing Card Tax in Alabama for anyone who purchased or sold a deck of cards.
- Buying something from a vending machine in Pennsylvania? You may be subjected to their state tax on air.
- Kansas imposes a tax on tethered hot air balloon rides. Un-tethered rides are considered tax exempt transportation.
- Liquor-filled candies do not qualify as food in Colorado so there is no exemption for this sweet buzz.
- Texas’ tax-free weekend will not get you a break on a belt with a buckle. That accessory item is taxable. Texas Belt Buckles
- Roman emperor Vespasian imposed a urine tax on the distribution of urine from its public urinals.
- In Texas, there was a $5-per-customer “pole tax” to be enforced by strip club owners who serve alcohol.
- In Maine, a non-resident can buy a watercraft exempt from sales tax as long as the craft leaves the state immediately.
- In NY, haunted houses are subject to sales tax. However, ghosts are eligible for various exemptions.
- Utah has a Sexually Explicit Business Tax that is applied on everything from admission to drinks at strip clubs.
- In the state of Virginia there’s an excise tax for every sheep or lamb that’s sold. Happy Lamb
- Need to move dirt around in New Hampshire? The excavation tax will cost you $0.02 per cubic yard.
- In South Carolina, you can get a $50 tax credit for donating a deer carcass to charity.
- Moving to Alabama? You’ll pay a Confederate Veterans Tax even though all Civil War veterans are long dead.
- Louisiana has an annual Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday that exempts eligible purchases of firearms and ammunition.
- In Arizona, blocks of ice are taxable but ice cubes are considered a tax-free food.
