By: Joe Messerli
“Congress can raise taxes because it can persuade a sizable fraction of the populace that somebody else will pay.” — Milton Friedman
“The difference between death and taxes is death doesn’t get worse every time Congress meets.” — Will Rogers
Many politicians regularly make the argument that certain groups aren’t paying their “fair share” in taxes. Others will say they support tax increases only for the very rich. When government deficits balloon, it always seems to be pitched as a revenue problem rather than a spending problem. As more Americans rebel against higher taxes, politicians have become more innovative in the language they use. Instead of “tax”, they use words such as “fee”, “toll”, “license”, “surcharge”, and so on. Let’s examine a list of 75 types of taxes the government charges its citizens.
- Social Security tax (employee portion)
- Social Security tax (employer portion)
- Medicare tax
- Federal income tax
- State income tax
- Local income tax
- State sales tax
- Property taxes
- Capital gains tax
- Dividend taxes
- Hotel taxes
- Driver’s license renewal
- Auto plates fee
- Road/bridge tolls
- Cell phone taxes and surcharges
- Gas/electric surcharges
- Cigarette tax
- Tanning salon tax
- Water/sewer surcharges
- Alcohol tax
- Federal & state gasoline taxes
- Gift tax
- Corporate income tax
- Federal inheritance tax
- State inheritance tax
- Motorcycle license
- Bike license
- State park and nature trail permits
- Boat registration & license fees
- Soda tax
- Hunting license
- Fishing license
- Sports stadium/arena tax
- Dog permit/license
- Marriage license
- Court case filing fee
- New car surcharge and sales tax
- Obamacare health insurance mandate penalty
- Air transportation tax
- Electronic tax return filing fee
- Yacht/luxury item tax
- Jewelry taxes
- Passport application & renewal fee
- Gun permit
- Kiddie investment tax
- Special assessments for construction or road repair
- Gas guzzler car surcharge
- RV tax
- Waste management/disposal tax
- Plastic surgery tax
- School fees & taxes
- Alternative Minimum Tax
- Small business and individual Obamacare sucharge
- IRA/Retirement account rollover and early withdrawal penalties
- Gas & oil assessments
- Corporation organization and charter fees
- Federal unemployment tax
- State unemployment tax
- New business permits & filing fees
- Estimated income tax underpayment penalty
- Workers comp tax
- Medical device tax
- Prescription drug tax
- Gas/oil storage & inspection fees
- Business franchise fee
- Restaurant/hospitality business permit
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation banking taxes
- Building permit
- Zoning permits & fees
- Concession/tourism license fee
- Electronic waste disposal fee
- Professional license fee (for doctors, lawyers, CPAs, etc.)
- Health Insurance company tax
- Obamacare tax on “Cadillac” health plans
- Import tariffs
“America is a land of taxation that was founded to avoid taxation.” — Dr. Laurence J. Peter
“Isn’t it appropriate that the month of the tax begins with April Fool’s Day and ends with cries of May Day!” –- Robert Knauerhase
Other Links That May Interest You
Full List of Obama’s Tax Hikes
10 Reasons Government is Less Efficient Than the Private Sector
10 Reasons Why Raising Tax Rates Decrease Total Revenue (and Vice Versa)
Last Modified: 8/4/2018