Taxes have been a part of human civilization for centuries. While today we are accustomed to paying income tax, GST, and property tax, some historical taxes were outright bizarre. Across different eras and regions, rulers imposed taxes on the most unusual things – from beards to windows and even souls! Here’s a look at some of the strangest taxes ever levied.
1. Beard Tax – A Price for Facial Hair
Facial hair was once a symbol of status, and rulers saw it as an opportunity for taxation. In 1535, England’s King Henry VIII imposed a tax on beards, making them a luxury only for the wealthy. His daughter, Queen Elizabeth I, took it a step further by imposing a beard tax on any facial hair over two weeks old. Russia’s Peter the Great also introduced a beard tax in 1698 to encourage men to adopt a clean-shaven, Western look. Those who refused had to carry a token proving they had paid the tax.
2. Virgin Tax – An Incentive for Marriage
In ancient Rome, Emperor Augustus wanted to encourage marriage and childbirth. To achieve this, he imposed a tax on unmarried women and childless couples. The idea was to promote family values, but it became a financial burden for those who chose to stay single. A similar tax was introduced in Italy in 1924 under dictator Benito Mussolini to boost population growth.
3. Soul Tax – A Cost for Belief (or Disbelief)
Imagine being taxed for your belief in a soul! In 1718, Russian ruler Peter the Great introduced a tax on souls. Those who identified as religious had to pay a tax for their belief, while non-believers were fined for not having faith. This tax was not only bizarre but also difficult to regulate, leading to much confusion.
4. Window Tax – A Price on Natural Light
In 1696, King William III of England imposed a tax on windows. The more windows a house had, the higher the tax. This led many homeowners to brick up their windows to avoid the extra charge. The consequences? Poor ventilation and health issues, as people were forced to live in darker, poorly aired homes.
5. Sex Tax – A Proposal That Never Happened
In 1971, a US legislator named Bernard Gladstone suggested a tax of $2 on every sexual encounter in Rhode Island. While the idea never became law, it remains one of the most unusual tax proposals in history. Germany, however, did introduce a tax on prostitution in 2004, requiring sex workers to pay a fixed amount of 150 euros per month.
6. Breast Tax – A Humiliating Levy on Women
In 19th-century Kerala, India, women from lower castes were not allowed to cover their breasts. If they wished to do so, they had to pay a breast tax. This oppressive tax was meant to enforce caste hierarchy and suppress the dignity of lower-class women. It was abolished after social movements fought against it.
7. Cow Belching Tax – Fighting Climate Change Through Taxation
Believe it or not, in 2025, New Zealand imposed a tax on cow belching to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Since cows produce methane, a major contributor to global warming, farmers must pay for the environmental impact of their livestock. This is one of the few modern taxes designed to reduce climate change effects.
Taxes Can Be Strange, But They Have a Purpose
Taxes are necessary for a functioning society, but history has shown that some can be outright bizarre. From beards to cow burps, rulers have always found ways to generate revenue in the strangest manners. While these unusual taxes are no longer in place, they serve as a reminder of how creative (and sometimes absurd) taxation can be.
