Do you think you have to pay ridiculous taxes? Ever feel like your tax money isn't going into projects that benefit the people? You're probably right. The only consolation I can offer you is that people have been feeling this way about taxes since at least 3000 BC.
Back in ancient Egypt tax time came at least once a year. They called it "Following of Horus" because the pharaoh, the so called reincarnation of the god Horus, came to collect the people's taxes. The Egyptian people were taxed whenever the pharaoh needed money for a military campaign or to build him a grand pyramid. They also had to pay levies on grain and cattle.
Obviously there was considerable complaining about taxes. There is also evidence of tax sheltering. The men and women who worked in the temples were not required to pay taxes. In fact, they were funded by the peoples taxes. Can you imagine a religious organization funded by taxes today? Not likely.
You think you are taxed on outrageous things today? Bet you've never been taxed on cooking oil. That's right. Cooking oil. And if you didn't use "appropriate amounts" of cooking oils you could be audited. And don't think you could have gotten around this tax by using something other than cooking oil. No substitutes. You could be audited for that, too.
Taxation of the Egyptian peoples resulted in the pyramids and the nation's wealth. The nation accomplished so much, but it's citizens paid for it. Was it worth it?
Work Cited
Great Ages of Man, Ancient Egypt
