Discussing the history of taxation and money can result in the exposure of some strong opinions. In fact, over time, while the nature of taxes has changed, people have resisted them and worked for reform. Going back over the different views on the subject can shed light on the systems that we have in place today.
In early societies, of course, people bartered since they had no commonly accepted store of value. Pricing things this way could get tricky and it also posed the problem of how a trader could get what he or she wanted. The wheat farmer would wanted a portion of meat, for example, would have to find someone with the inverse desire. To remedy this, some societies set up weight values that could be traded in exchange for a commodity of an equal value later.
The leap to money from this conception was not very hard to make. Some early societies recognized that valuable goods or commodities could be a stand-in for direct trades. Gold, silver or even shells served this purpose in different societies. Certain producers marked them to prove their origin and value. Governments soon realized that they could serve as trustworthy authorities and began produced and distributing their own currencies.
Once people could trade and store value in this way, governments saw the opportunity to mobilize the riches of their people to fund things like public works, as in the case of the Egyptians. Others, like the Greek city-states, levied taxes from time to time to pay for military expenses during times of war. The Romans decentralized collection and came up with new taxes. These changes would later be reflected in European systems.
Nowadays, people expect more from their governments than just large works or standing armies. Beyond this, to some degree or another, most societies want governments to help retired, disabled, unemployed and poor people with expenses. As a result, tax authorities collect revenue from imports and exports, capital gains and sales, as well as many other transactions.
As money has increasingly become a number transferred electronically between accounts and institutions, national tax systems offer e-government services to make payment easier. In fact, several countries allow citizens to complete their tax returns completely online. Even those who don't go that far usually make some information available on the Internet.
The history of taxation and money is impossible to summarize without going region by region and comparing and contrasting their methods. However, even just a small look at it can help up appreciate the conveniences available today. Seen in this light, taxes may not seem like such a burden.
In early societies, of course, people bartered since they had no commonly accepted store of value. Pricing things this way could get tricky and it also posed the problem of how a trader could get what he or she wanted. The wheat farmer would wanted a portion of meat, for example, would have to find someone with the inverse desire. To remedy this, some societies set up weight values that could be traded in exchange for a commodity of an equal value later.
The leap to money from this conception was not very hard to make. Some early societies recognized that valuable goods or commodities could be a stand-in for direct trades. Gold, silver or even shells served this purpose in different societies. Certain producers marked them to prove their origin and value. Governments soon realized that they could serve as trustworthy authorities and began produced and distributing their own currencies.
Once people could trade and store value in this way, governments saw the opportunity to mobilize the riches of their people to fund things like public works, as in the case of the Egyptians. Others, like the Greek city-states, levied taxes from time to time to pay for military expenses during times of war. The Romans decentralized collection and came up with new taxes. These changes would later be reflected in European systems.
Nowadays, people expect more from their governments than just large works or standing armies. Beyond this, to some degree or another, most societies want governments to help retired, disabled, unemployed and poor people with expenses. As a result, tax authorities collect revenue from imports and exports, capital gains and sales, as well as many other transactions.
As money has increasingly become a number transferred electronically between accounts and institutions, national tax systems offer e-government services to make payment easier. In fact, several countries allow citizens to complete their tax returns completely online. Even those who don't go that far usually make some information available on the Internet.
The history of taxation and money is impossible to summarize without going region by region and comparing and contrasting their methods. However, even just a small look at it can help up appreciate the conveniences available today. Seen in this light, taxes may not seem like such a burden.
About the Author:
Accountants will help your company prepare and file necessary documents and reports to stockholders and government agencies. When looking for accounants London area, review the credentials and experience carefully.
0 comments:
Post a Comment