Once we moved past using goods to barter and were able to use a common currency it became easier for people to buy different things they needed by calculating exact prices with the merchants. This information was also used by the rulers of the land to determine how much they were owed by their underlings. Thus began the history of taxation and money.
There is an English quote about how the only things in life that are certain are death and taxes. This might be true but taxation is a relatively recent addition to the picture as it only dates back a few thousand years. It was first collected by the nobility to bankroll their lavish lifestyle and fund their wars as they strove to expand their empires. As one can imagine the citizens of the time were none too please with the situation where taxes were arbitrarily imposed at raised on a whim.
But some taxes were given voluntarily and in good faith. Most of the major religions have a history of accepting donations from their followers in order to perform good deeds for the lest fortunate. Since biblical time Christians have given a tithe which was suggested at ten percent of what they earned. Previously they paid in kind but now money is accepted in all churches.
Taxes themselves have never been popular and it took a very public and bloody revolt by French citizens to show that bullying by the nobility would not be tolerated and neither would be taxing people so heavily that they couldn't afford to eat be condoned.This was the infancy of democracy.
Between the spread of democracy to most nations as well as the Industrial revolution a precedent was set for taxes that were fair, equitable and transparent. Because governments were able to account for every cent of tax payers money in terms of fiscal spending it became much less of a grudge purchase.
Now it is not only individuals who pay taxes. In fact, in most countries the majority of taxes collected are company taxes. This a tax levied on companies that choose to do business in a country.
In addition they are also required by law to give back to the community through corporate social programs. It seems the history of taxation and money has been a long and chequered one but finally it appears to have stabilized and things are running fairly smoothly for now.
There is an English quote about how the only things in life that are certain are death and taxes. This might be true but taxation is a relatively recent addition to the picture as it only dates back a few thousand years. It was first collected by the nobility to bankroll their lavish lifestyle and fund their wars as they strove to expand their empires. As one can imagine the citizens of the time were none too please with the situation where taxes were arbitrarily imposed at raised on a whim.
But some taxes were given voluntarily and in good faith. Most of the major religions have a history of accepting donations from their followers in order to perform good deeds for the lest fortunate. Since biblical time Christians have given a tithe which was suggested at ten percent of what they earned. Previously they paid in kind but now money is accepted in all churches.
Taxes themselves have never been popular and it took a very public and bloody revolt by French citizens to show that bullying by the nobility would not be tolerated and neither would be taxing people so heavily that they couldn't afford to eat be condoned.This was the infancy of democracy.
Between the spread of democracy to most nations as well as the Industrial revolution a precedent was set for taxes that were fair, equitable and transparent. Because governments were able to account for every cent of tax payers money in terms of fiscal spending it became much less of a grudge purchase.
Now it is not only individuals who pay taxes. In fact, in most countries the majority of taxes collected are company taxes. This a tax levied on companies that choose to do business in a country.
In addition they are also required by law to give back to the community through corporate social programs. It seems the history of taxation and money has been a long and chequered one but finally it appears to have stabilized and things are running fairly smoothly for now.
About the Author:
Accounants London region do the necessary tracking and reporting on financial activities for your business. You can select a firm of accountants with the qualifications and expertise that you desire.
No comments:
Post a Comment