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By telling us your country of residence we are able to provide you with the most relevant travel insurance information. Has been captivated by the cultures and traditions of people across the globe ever since she went backpacking through East Africa for her 22nd birthday. While some of these rules can seem odd in the modern world, they actually represent historical events and cultural norms. The law was thereby enacted to prevent horse theft. Maybe this is in an effort to maintain the good face of the law enforcement community. In New York however, it is actually illegal to frown at a police officer.
Salt taxes have existed throughout history, and one of the best and most well-known examples is in British India. Back in 18th Century England, property taxes were based on the number of windows a building had. Tsar Peter, the Great of Russia, taxed beards in 1698. It’s not as if these strange taxes were born from whimsy.
We don’t understand this reasoning, given how Sevilla is a lively town where live music is played in the streets and flamenco dancers put on shows in public spaces. The beautiful city prevents people from playing dominoes in public, allegedly because the pieces make too much noise when they clink as players put them down. The rule isn’t followed in every part of the country, but if you have an annoying neighbor who wants to complain, they would technically have the law on their side. The logic of the law is that they’re using the song for business while making a profit, so they must pay for the rights. In Finland, however, taxi drivers are required by law to pay royalty fees for songs they play while driving passengers. Whenever you get into a cab, it’s normal for the taxi driver to be listening to the radio, as a way to make the ride more pleasant for everyone.
Those who paid the beard tax were issued a special token or medallion as proof of payment – silver for noblemen and copper for commoners. Therefore, he imposed a tax on beards, levying it from those who wished to keep their beards. The Russian beard tax is a historical levy that dates back to the reign of Tsar Peter the Great in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, who ruled from 1682 to 1725. That is the central question surrounding this tax – but, like with all taxes, there’s (moo)re to it. Well, that previous tax law flows right into this one, huh?
Strange Taxes Around the World That We Don’t Have
Some fraction of these taxes were passed to generate additional revenue, whereas others were passed for social welfare purposes. Throughout the world’s history, numerous weird and unusual tax rules have been passed. Such unusual tax rules pass because of the sudden financial needs in order to fill up the gaps that occurred in budgets. To sum up such weird and unusual tax rules across the globe, we have presented this article.
The Public Transport Security Command of the Dubai Police, which recently launched a campaign called “No Eating and Drinking on Trains,” enforces the rules. Although the law was created to deter littering, the police have repeatedly utilized it unlawfully. If you formed a charity without first receiving IACAD’s approval, you might be breaching the law. Regardless of whether you do it for personal or professional reasons, the law requires you to get the subject’s permission before taking a photo.
It’s Illegal to Drive a Dirty Car in Russia
- In fact, this isn’t the only way to sidestep this tax.
- Though the amount isn’t clear, what does appear certain is the payment of said tax occurred on the day of sacrifice.
- In a throwback to simpler times, the horse and carriage rules and cars play second fiddle.
- Powdered wigs were the rage in 18th-century France and Britain, and authorities seized this opportunity by taxing wig powder.
- Officials claim the ban helps to properly identify people during crowded events, should anything negative happen and someone need to be identified.
So in 2010, Kansas tackled the question of whether hot air balloons are should be subject to the state or federal law. With the United States it was pretty hard to choose just one weird tax rule— we have lots of them. In order to incentivize the arts, income earned by writers, composers, visual artists and sculptors from the sale of their works is not taxed, under certain circumstances. If parents fail to do so, they can be fined up to 5,000 kroner ($770 USD). Bribes were also tax-deductible, according to a 1995 Businessweek editorial. You can renew your subscription or continue to use the site without a subscription.
This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. No one wants a nosy taxman looking in their fireplace. The tax was extremely unpopular and eventually got abolished.
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You have every right to turn on those dirty faucets as long as you don’t engage in any of that scrubbing foolishness if you strictly adhere to local laws. A bylaw in the Ontario town of Petrolia forbade whistling and singing in public at all times. In Singapore, it’s against the law to litter, and first-time offenders risk serious punishments.
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Anyone importing, selling or making gum in Singapore can get fined and/or jail time, with the exception of nicotine and dental gums offering therapeutic value. We compiled a list of top 12 weirdest tax rules around the world weird laws around the world you may not believe exist. So, there you have it, 12 of the most inventive and bewildering driving laws in place across the globe.
- By doing this, you wouldn’t be slicing the bagel (which is what would make it a sandwich) and subjecting it to tax.
- Learn what financial planning is, why it matters, and its key components to help your business grow better.
- While some of these rules can seem odd in the modern world, they actually represent historical events and cultural norms.
- In 1989, the law was partially revoked to make it legal to fly kites in squares and parks.
- Here are some of the weirdest tax laws from throughout history and around the world that defy even the most creative author’s imagination.
Paris in two days
Although it might appear innocuous, singing or whistling in the street in Petrolia could have gotten you into trouble with the law. It’s unclear how strictly this bylaw was applied, though. The goal of this strange law was to preserve tranquility in the community.
It’s Illegal to Ride a Cow While Drunk in Scotland
This law states you can’t park outside a Dunkin Donuts. Designed to prevent accidents, particularly in urban areas, it’s become second nature for all Danes. And since 1960 anyone caught doing so in Japan is actually breaking the law.
If not, you could be fined up to $10,000 and even spend up to two years in jail if you interrupt a wedding. A husband could actually divorce her if she is drinking in public! This sexist law is due to the belief that alcohol may make a woman more immoral. But if you are married, it’s just one glass of wine for you.
There is a fine if the toilet is not flushed after use. It is forbidden to be exposed to the public while on a balcony or through a window. Offenders may receive fines or perhaps go to jail.
France has more taxes than any other European country, says Brandon Pfaff, a tax expert who advises the publication Wealthy Living Today. In fact, in historical times taxes were charged on cooking oils or beards. The next time you’re caught up in the tax-filing tizzy, we hope the thought of some of these weird laws provides brief respite. Throughout history, the pendulum on tax laws has swung between moments of strategic finesse and moments of sheer absurdity. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.
Particularly, people seeking office during the elections shouldn’t purchase alcohol for anyone other than their family members. This law aims to encourage informed voting and ban the use of alcohol to purchase votes. While some of these rules might have made sense in the past, others today look downright absurd. Free 10 minute tax consult Self-employed tax calculator
