Origins of Taxation
When we talk about taxation in modern day, it seems as some form of a formalised extortion from a lay man point of view. Contrary to that common belief, taxation has been in existence ever since. About 5,000 years ago, there was the first record of taxation in ancient Egypt, where the Pharaoh collected a tax equivalent to 20 percent of all grain harvests. This can be like what we now term Income tax. At the time, Egypt was without coined money, so grain represented a tangible store of value that could easily be collected, traded, and redistributed throughout society.
The word ‘tax’ first appeared in the English language only in the 14th century. In Russia, Tsar Peter taxed beards, boots, beehives, candles, nuts, hats, horses, chimneys, water. He is still regarded as ‘The Great’ in modern histories of Russia, perhaps because of the mighty works his taxes produced.
Closer to home, tracing the Zimbabwean roots during the Mutapa Kingdom reign, the Portuguese traders had to pay taxes and tribute to the King. Would we be credible without mentioning that even in bible the subject of taxation can not be overemphasized. We hear of Matthew the Tax Collector and 10% tithing even as a base of Christianity principles.
In our next article we will trace more on the origins of the familiar taxes we have today.