Which are some of the most ridiculous taxes?

Nothing is certain except death and taxes. You’ve probably heard this at least once. When it comes to these two, it seems there’s no limit to how or when either can occur. Yet there are many ridiculous taxes, and some are shorter-lived than others.

As the taxation of the masses has been a thing for thousands of years, it’s safe to presume that it will continue forever. This shouldn’t surprise us. However, what’s a bit strange is that there are some ridiculous things you can get taxed for.

As you read this article, you’ll see that many of the taxes on this list are unreasonable and don’t make sense. Yet they still exist. In the US, each state can levy taxes to fund its activities, and some states have more ridiculous taxes than others.

Here are some of the strangest taxes (some of which are no longer levied)!

1. Window tax

No. 1 on our list of ridiculous taxes has to do with houses with many windows. Although it sounds absurd, the Window Tax of 1696 was actually a relatively smart way of imposing an income tax on the wealthy without ever calling it that.

Affecting Scotland and England in the 18th and 19th centuries, this tax on windows was meant as a tax on the rich, as people with more income usually live in nicer, bigger houses, which generally have more than two windows. Quite ingenious, isn’t it?

While this tax eventually led to the bricking up of many windows, it also led to an equitable and less arbitrary income tax that honed in on wealthier citizens.

2. Jock tax

Next on our list of ridiculous taxes is one directed at people who earn money by being active in a certain field. What began as bad blood has turned into a lucrative source of state funding, considering that taxing “jocks”, performers, and other entertainers can generate a lot of money.

California was the first US state to impose the Jock Tax in 1991, after the Chicago Bulls defeated the LA Lakers in the finals. The next time Michael Jordan played in Los Angeles, the money he made on those games was officially levied by the California State Income Tax.

Since then, half of the US states have adopted a Jock Tax, taking a cut from high-paid heroes and giving the added resources to local communities.

3. Cow flatulence tax

No. 3 on our list of ridiculous taxes is something rather odd yet real. Cow flatulence is known to produce methane emissions, which are the leading cause of global warming. Cows slow digestion, combined with a gas-producing diet of greens, has been found to cause excessive methane buildup.

The issue is worsened by slaughterhouses, which house thousands of cows in one spot, producing large clouds of methane. Environmentalists and neighbors often complain about the bad smell as well as the harmful effects on air quality.

Denmark and Ireland, along with other EU nations, have started taxing cattle owners on cow flatulence. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the UN, the “byproducts” of livestock like cows are responsible for about 17% of the greenhouse gases that are causing global warming.

Cow flatulence costs Irish farmers $18 per cow, while in Denmark they have to pay $110 per cow.

4. Playing card tax

Next on our list of ridiculous taxes are those who buy decks of cards. There’s a reason why Alabama isn’t known for its casinos, and this odd tax may be it. Alabama is the only US state to issue a 10-cent tax on decks of cards bought within the state.

When compared to Nevada, a state that issues decks of cards for free with every tax return filed, this tax seems quite strange. However, Alabama citizens enjoy the revenue that funds playgrounds and highways.

There’s plenty of information on where you can buy an official playing card tax stamp, but no explanation about the tax.

Want to buy a deck of cards? Amazon has plenty of options!

Keep reading to discover other ridiculous taxes!

5. Candy tax

No. 5 on our list of ridiculous taxes is the candy tax levied in Chicago. Coming from the Windy City, this tax has as much to do with semantics as it does chemistry. And there’s one more thing here: Who can blame them for taxing something tempting?

For instance, candies prepared with flour (like ice cream and chocolates) fall into the “food” category and are thus taxed normally. However, candies prepared without flour (such as suckers and hard candies) are labeled as “candies” and are thus taxed at an additional 5.35% merchandise rate.

There’s a similar rule for soft drinks, too. The difference in levels of milk, fruit beverage, or soy in a beverage can make a difference of 5.25% at the pay desk.

6. Blueberry tax

The blueberry tax also makes the list of ridiculous taxes. While Maine doesn’t impose a tax on staple groceries such as fruit, vegetables, and milk, the state levies a tax on wild blueberries, even though they count as a staple like any other fruit.

According to experts, the production of these blueberries is one of the most important agricultural industries in the state, making it necessary to protect it with a tax. Without a tax, the blueberries in Maine could be overharvested. The state gets a penny and a half per pound sold, keeping the wild blueberry business in check so that plants can thrive.

This tax also applies to blueberries that are shipped out of state.

7. Google tax

No. 7 on our list of ridiculous taxes is an example from France. The Culture Ministry of France settled that taxing online advertisements, such as those that pop up on Google, Facebook, and Digg, will bring in up to $29 million per year.

Apparently, AOL, Yahoo!, and Microsoft are also subject to the tax. France uses this revenue to support artists as well as online cultural information centers for French citizens.

According to some data, former President Nicolas Sarkozy was the one who advocated for this revolutionary tax. While it ranks right on the list of ridiculous taxes around the world, it could be enacted worldwide.

8. Belt buckle tax

More ridiculous taxes are about to come! If you want to buy a belt buckle in Texas, you may need to pay sales taxes. If you want to avoid this tax, you can choose a belt buckle that’s included with a belt since those aren’t taxable in the state.

However, buckles sold separately are considered accessories, and in Texas, those count as fair game when it comes to sales tax.

But there’s good news for Texans: the rest of your outfit, including hats and cowboy boots, is tax-exempt.

9. Utensil tax

Last but not least on our list of ridiculous taxes is the utensil tax. Prepared foods aren’t tax-exempt in many US states, and Nebraska is no exception. However, the simple addition of utensil can turn otherwise unprepared food into prepared food.

So, if your food comes with a plastic spoon or fork, you’ll need to pay sales tax. Also, if your soda can comes with a plastic straw, it’s considered prepared food. But if it doesn’t, you may get away without paying extra.

If you liked our article, you may also want to read 7 Stealth Taxes That Can Destroy Your Retirement.