W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…
Ancient Egypt wasn’t a place of terrible oppressors and oppressed slavery - that is only the impression we get from the tale of Exodus, which came at a time of unrest in Egypt. Modern translations of Egyptian language tell a tale of life in ancient Egypt was usually bountiful and peaceful. The land was rich, women and men had roughly equal rights and life was enjoyed. But, there were tax collectors, as many as “the sands of the seas”. The high level of Egyptian life was kept by these “scribes” who were charged with enforcing the pharaoh’s tax policies. Almost everything was taxed - sales, slaves, foreigners, imports, exports, and businesses. Crops were taxed at an astounding 20%. There was even a tax on cooking oil and scribes would make continuous visitations to kitchens to ensure that free drippings were not being wasted as opposed to the taxed oil.
The idea of “freedom” ironically in ancient times didn’t refer to someone’s political or social liberty but to one’s tax status. If you were “free,” it meant that you paid no taxes. Interestingly, the word is not found anywhere in the Egyptian language. Good thing we live in this time eh? Go here if you want help with modern-day Tax Preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll in Cary NC.
However, the scribes were never inconsiderate (at least in theory). They were told to be kind to the poor and defenseless. An example from an ancient text instructs: “if a poor farmer is in trouble with his taxations, cut two-thirds of them.”
Another translation encourages officials to “cheer up everyone and to put them into a good mood.”
And, if someone is struggling under the stress of their taxes, or is at the end of his means to pay them, you must let the case go unchecked.” If you’re feeling the pressure with today’s taxes, call a Raleigh NC Accountant for all your tax-related needs!
This lenient policy was called “philanthropa”. From this word we get the word philandthropy.
Over the 3000 years of the Egyptian empire, there were many periods of humane and decent tax administration.
Keep an eye out for W. Marc Gilfillan’s next chapter in his History of Taxes series: Taxes and the Greeks. http://www.marccpa.com/