History of Taxation, Part One: Taxation in Ancient Egypt

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

Ancient Egypt was not a place of cruel taskmasters and miserable slaves – that is only the stigma we get from the story of Exodus, which came at a time of turmoil in Egypt. Actual translations of hieroglyphics indicate that life in ancient Egypt was usually pleasant and relatively at peace. The land was rich, women and men were equal and life was enjoyed. But, there were tax collectors, as numerous 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. Most all aspects of life were taxed – sales, slaves, foreigners, imports, exports, and businesses. Agriculture was taxed at a hefty 20%. There was also a tax on cooking oil and inspectors would make continuous visits to kitchens to make sure that free drippings were not being used instead of the taxed oil.

The idea of “freedom” ironically in ancient Egypt referred not to one’s political or social liberty but to a person’s tax status. If you were “free,” it meant that you paid no taxes. Ironically, 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 taught to act kindly to the poor and defenseless. An example from an ancient translation instructs: “if a poor farmer is in arrears with his taxations, remit 2/3 of them.”

Another translation encourages scribes to “cheer up everyone and to put them into good humor.”

And, if anyone 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 coined “philanthropa”. From that we get the word philandthropy.

Over the 3000 years of the Egyptian empire, there were many times 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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