Explanation:
There are few things in this world that are, without debate, a necessary evil. Taxes fall all too well within that description. This “necessary evil” has been around for nearly as long as human civilization. By definition, taxes are an obligatory financial charge or duty imposed upon a taxpayer by a state or ruling body in order to fund various public expenditures.
The taxes you pay and the taxes your ancestors paid thousands of years ago are used by the government to invest in technology and education. Taxation has held many forms throughout history. Before the existence of a monetary system, taxes were paid as a percentage of crops harvested. This societal requirement dates back to as early as 6,000 B.C. and was first transcribed in clay tablets in the ancient city-state of Lagash in modern day Iraq. Other accounts of early tax implementation were found in Mesopotamia 4,500 years ago where payment took the form of livestock. Here’s a quick look at three major ancient civilizations that imposed taxes as a means of supporting its people:
Egypt
In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were viewed as gods and were tasked with ensuring the safety and health of the people. Egyptians did not have a monetary system and instead taxes were levied on property and harvest. The Pharaoh relied on the surplus goods received as taxes during times of drought, famine, and war. Manual labor was also a form of tax that supported the Egyptian army and building projects. Documentation suggests that Pharaohs appeared before the people in order to collect taxes. Viziers kept records of taxes collected and ensured that requirements were met.
