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.

1. Social Security tax (employee portion)
2. Social Security tax (employer portion)
3. Medicare tax
4. Federal income tax
5. State income tax
6. Local income tax
7. State sales tax
8. Property taxes
9. Capital gains tax
10. Dividend taxes
11. Hotel taxes
12. Driver’s license renewal
13. Auto plates fee
14. Road/bridge tolls
15. Cell phone taxes and surcharges
16. Gas/electric surcharges
17. Cigarette tax
18. Tanning salon tax
19. Water/sewer surcharges
20. Alcohol tax
21. Federal & state gasoline taxes
22. Gift tax
23. Corporate income tax
24. Federal inheritance tax
25. State inheritance tax
26. Motorcycle license
27. Bike license
28. State park and nature trail permits
29. Boat registration & license fees
30. Soda tax
31. Hunting license
32. Fishing license
33. Sports stadium/arena tax
34. Dog permit/license
35. Marriage license
36. Court case filing fee
37. New car surcharge and sales tax
38. Obamacare health insurance mandate penalty
39. Air transportation tax
40. Electronic tax return filing fee
41. Yacht/luxury item tax
42. Jewelry taxes
43. Passport application & renewal fee
44. Gun permit
45. Kiddie investment tax
46. Special assessments for construction or road repair
47. Gas guzzler car surcharge
48. RV tax
49. Waste management/disposal tax
50. Plastic surgery tax
51. School fees & taxes
52. Alternative Minimum Tax
53. Small business and individual Obamacare sucharge
54. IRA/Retirement account rollover and early withdrawal penalties
55. Gas & oil assessments
56. Corporation organization and charter fees
57. Federal unemployment tax
58. State unemployment tax
59. New business permits & filing fees
60. Estimated income tax underpayment penalty
61. Workers comp tax
62. Medical device tax
63. Prescription drug tax
64. Gas/oil storage & inspection fees
65. Business franchise fee
66. Restaurant/hospitality business permit
67. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation banking taxes
68. Building permit
69. Zoning permits & fees
70. Concession/tourism license fee
71. Electronic waste disposal fee
72. Professional license fee (for doctors, lawyers, CPAs, etc.)
73. Health Insurance company tax
74. Obamacare tax on “Cadillac” health plans
75. 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