11 Oddest Things America Has Ever Taxed
Filing tax returns and paying taxes on time is essential to avoid any action from the IRS. Although most of the taxes levied by the federal government or any state government are used for development expenditure, there are certain types of taxes that seem very ludicrous. Here are some of the 11 oddest things that have been taxed through the years.
- Fruits from vending machines : This is only applicable in the state of California.
Although fruits are exempted from taxes in California, the government has imposed a tax of nearly 33% on fruits sold from vending machines. Hats : This is one of the earliest items on which the government introduced taxes. Hats were taxed to compete with British-manufactured hats that were imported to the colonies. New York bagel : A bagel is exempted from tax in the city of New York. However, if one gets the bagel sliced, then it comes under the prepared food, which further is subjected to a sales tax of 8.875 percent. Glass : Till date, taxes on glass have been surprising for the individuals as the taxes have been imposed on the basis of the color of the glass. As compared to other colors, white was the most taxed glass color. Balloon tax in Kansas : A hot-air balloon ride is a fantastic experience. A balloon ride in Kansas is taxed due to the government’s strange viewpoint towards this form of amusement ride. According to the government, when the balloon is set free in the air, it involves traveling from one place to another. The taxes imposed are at a rate of 6.5 percent.
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- Calendars : The tax on calendars could be considered as one of the weirdest taxes ever imposed in the history of the United States. The taxes were enforced by the length of a calendar.
- Belt buckle tax : Often, across the United States, clothes have been exempted from taxes. But, when you are in Texas, purchasing a belt buckle will cost 6.25 percent of sales tax. The belt buckle is considered as an accessory or a piece of jewelry which is subjected to sales tax.
- Cup lids and caps : The packaging of a cup is relieved from any taxes. However, in Colorado, the lids and caps of cups are taxable.
- Candy : In Illinois, candies are taxed unless they are made from flour. Candies are produced with added flavors and do not contain flour. Thus, in the absence of flour, the candies become taxable.
- Legal papers : Taking a throwback to the Stamp Act of 1765, the legal documents in the country were imposed exclusive taxes or stamp duty.
- Rain : Also known as a stormwater management fee, the rain tax is imposed on homeowners to protect the environment from pollution caused by stormwater overflow. This tax was introduced in 2012, and people opposed to this tax has nicknamed it as the “rain tax”.
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