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Along Life’s Way
Taxes—What About Them?
By Lois E. Wilson
Every year we get out all our papers relating to taxes, sort them into
categories, and pray that we won’t have much or any taxes to pay. You
may need a big table for this. As I worked on the task, I wondered,
when did taxation begin?
You know the saying—nothing is certain except death and taxes. While
that may be true, taxes tend to be complicated and very inconsistent.
They didn't always exist as they do today.
The first known “taxation” took place in Ancient Egypt around 3000–2800
BC. Taxation is mentioned several times in the Bible. One warning is:
“His successor will send out a tax collector to maintain the royal
splendor. In a few years he will be destroyed, yet not in anger or
battle.” Daniel 11:20 (TNIV)
In colonial times of our country, the British parliament passed
resolutions such as the Stamp Act, Tea and Sugar Acts, and Townshend
Act. Some things taxed were: glass, playing cards, dice, calendars,
newspapers, almanacs, and using pen names. These imposed taxes created
unrest and resulted in the boycotting of British goods. The Boston Tea
Party and the phrase “Taxation without Representation” grew out of
these conflicts. Opposition encouraged the revolutionary movement
against the Crown.
In the United States, many tax bills have been enacted, To name a
few—the federal income tax, alternative minimum tax, corporate
tax, estate tax, sin tax, (FICA), taxes on communication, utilities,
inheritance and the sales tax. Some were increased or lowered, while
others were repealed and may have been put back on again.
Will Rogers said: “Noah must have taken into the Ark two taxes, one
male and one female, and did they multiply bountifully! Next to guinea
pigs, taxes must have been the most prolific animals.” I remember when
I was a child and bought an item, I received a small square paper
receipt. Printed on it in cents was the amount of sales tax I had paid.
The question remains: “Was the cost of designing, cutting,
distributing, and monitoring these more than the tax collected?
We pay taxes in other forms. When we buy dog and hunting licenses,
certification costs in different fields of endeavor; they are in a way
taxes. It is difficult to keep current with tax laws.
I am always amazed when people think if the government raises the taxes
on corporations, they have been spared. The corporations will likely
raise prices to the public to cover their increase. If taxes are
withheld on our earnings, we may not realize how much taxes we have
actually paid. Those who pay quarterly are probably more aware of their
total tax.
Remember, if you live for that tax refund, the government has been
using your money without paying you interest. Surprise! Those
“freebies” they promised aren’t usually free. You may still owe Uncle
Sam. Oh well, I can’t win—please hand me my checkbook!
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