Americans surely grumbled this year when April 15 rolled around and their taxes were due. However, most Americans didn’t know how lucky they were if they didn’t have to pay these nine weird U.S. taxes as the state government became increasingly more creative in their schemes to take people’s money:
1. Bagel tax in New York City
If you want to eat a bagel in New York City, you can buy a whole bagel without a sales tax addition, but you will be subject to a tax for buying a sliced bagel or a “prepared” bagel with cream cheese or other toppings,
according to The Wall Street Journal.
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2. Candy Tax in Illinois
If you have a sudden sugar craving, you may want to think twice before buying candy. Illinois taxes all candies unless they contain flour because lawmakers deem the definition of “candy” to refer to sweets that are flourless. Thus, Whoppers are officially rejected from the “candy” club in Illinois,
reports US News.
3. Diaper tax on kid diapers in Connecticut
Parents of babies should beware of the tax imposed upon all diapers designed for children. But if the parent himself or herself needs a diaper, there’s no need to sweat it because all adult diapers are tax-free.
4. Blueberry tax in Maine
Blueberries now come at a high price in Maine with a ¾ cent per pound tax. Maine gobbled up $680,000 dollars from taxpayers with this one,
according to bon appetit.
5. Amusement tax in Virginia and Massachusetts
Having fun comes at a price for thrill-seekers in Virginia and Massachusetts following an amusement tax for admission to local activities.
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6. Coffee lid and napkin tax in Colorado
Ordering coffee in Colorado is pain-free unless you want to put a lid on that. Lids, along with napkins, are subject to the state’s “nonessential” packaging
tax of 2.9 percent, reports Travel and Leisure.
7. Fountain soda tax in Chicago
Apparently it’s only state-approved to purchase bottled soda in Chicago because it incurs a 3 percent tax, whereas it’s practically socially unacceptable drink from a soda fountain at a whopping 9 percent tax, according to Travel and Leisure.
8. Belt buckles in Texas
Texas approves of its cowboy apparel except for the belt buckles, which are taxed even thought the belts themselves are not.
9. Space tax in Alaska
Taxes in Alaska have soared out of this world with the tax levied upon all goods, services, and personal property that will be launched into space.
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