A History of Taxes, Part 1: Taxes in Ancient Egypt

W. Marc Gilfillan, CPA, NC, individual and business CPA and Tax expert, shares about the history of taxes…

Ancient Egypt wasn’t a land of cruel oppressors and oppressed slavery – that is only the impression we get from the tale of Moses, which came at a time of turmoil in Egypt. Modern translations of hieroglyphics tell a tale of life in ancient Egypt was usually bountiful and peaceful. The land was fertile, men and women had roughly equal rights and life was good for most. But, there were tax collectors, as many as “the sands of the seas”. The high level of Egyptian life was maintained by these “scribes” whose job was enforcing the pharaoh’s tax mandates. Almost all aspects of life were taxed – sales, slaves, foreigners, imports, exports, and businesses. Agriculture was taxed at an astounding 20%. There was also a tax on cooking oil and inspectors would make continuous visits to kitchens to ensure that free drippings were not being wasted instead of the taxed oil.

The idea of “freedom” ironically in ancient Egypt did not refer to one’s political or social liberty but to one’s taxation level. If you were “free,” it meant that you didn’t have to pay 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 towards the poor and defenseless. One ancient text instructs: “if a poor farmer is in arrears with his taxes, cut two-thirds of their taxes.”

Another translation instructs 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 that 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/

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