Taxation: Difference between revisions
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Taxation is the imposition of a transfer of [[money]] to the [[government]]. Almost every country in the world levies taxes, which are used to finance the running of the government. <ref>Encyclopedia Britannica article on Taxation</ref> | Taxation is the imposition of a transfer of [[money]] to the [[government]]. Almost every country in the world levies taxes, which are used to finance the running of the government. <ref>Encyclopedia Britannica article on Taxation</ref> The recorded history of taxation goes back nearly as long as [[recorded history]] itself - Sumerian [[clay tablets]] found in the ruins of the city of [[Lagash]] from the [[3rd millenium BC]] tell of a revolt over a heavy tax imposition. <ref>[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3647/is_199404/ai_n8722534 Beware the ides of April]</ref> | ||
Taxes can also be used for other purposes than raising money. Taxes are sometimes used to discourage certain activities. They are also sometimes used to transfer wealth from one group to another, usually to try to "even things out". | Taxes can also be used for other purposes than raising money. Taxes are sometimes used to discourage certain activities. They are also sometimes used to transfer wealth from one group to another, usually to try to "even things out". | ||
Revision as of 20:06, 21 January 2007
Taxation is the imposition of a transfer of money to the government. Almost every country in the world levies taxes, which are used to finance the running of the government. [1] The recorded history of taxation goes back nearly as long as recorded history itself - Sumerian clay tablets found in the ruins of the city of Lagash from the 3rd millenium BC tell of a revolt over a heavy tax imposition. [2]
Taxes can also be used for other purposes than raising money. Taxes are sometimes used to discourage certain activities. They are also sometimes used to transfer wealth from one group to another, usually to try to "even things out".
The imposition of a tax generally causes a change in the behavior of people, both those subject to the tax directly and others not directly subject to the tax. The consequences can be intended or unintended.
The American Revolution was fought in part over the issue of taxation. "No taxation without representation" was a catchphrase in the period 1763-1775 that summarized a primary grievance of the American colonists in the Thirteen colonies. [3]
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia Britannica article on Taxation
- ↑ Beware the ides of April
- ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_taxation_without_representation