Historical Tax Avoidance
Tax avoidance has been around as long as taxes. One historic example of tax avoidance still evident today was the payment of window tax. It was introduced in England and Wales in 1696 with the aim of imposing tax on the relative prosperity of individuals as the bigger the house, the more windows it was likely to have and the more tax the occupants would pay. Nevertheless, the tax was unpopular, because it was seen by some as a ‘tax on light’ and led property owners to block up windows to avoid it. The tax was repealed in 1851.
Other historic examples of tax avoidance were the deliberate destructions of roofs after World War II in order to avoid substantial property taxes. The owners of buildings like Fetteresso Castle (now restored) and Slains Castle in Scotland deliberately destroyed their roofs in protest at the new taxes.
Similar posts you may like
- Get paid what you’re worth
Underpayment can significantly impact your personal finance over your career. For example, if you are underpaid by just $50 per week for 50 years, Read more
- Find your unclaimed money!
Unclaimed money is defined as money that belongs to you but has been lost or forgotten due to a change in circumstance. It could Read more
- Michale Erat’s Five-Stage Model
In the novice stage, a person follows rules as given, without context, with no sense of responsibility beyond following the rules exactly. Competence develops Read more
- Live Frugally
We don’t want to hear it but spending less consistently over time is key to growing wealth. Cut out the spending sprees, comfort shopping Read more
"You’d be stupid not to try to cut your tax bill and those that don’t are stupid in business"
- Bono: U2