State capacity is defined by a government’s ability to raise revenue and the techniques used to do so. As a result, the history of taxes is inextricably linked to the nation’s progress and influence since the colonial period. Essentially, many settlers were reliant on various indirect taxes during this era, while agricultural levies supported plantation industries in several areas (Rabushka, 2008). Generally, the period of colonialism had the most comprehensive tax system, including poll, property, tariffs, and excise taxes.
The poll tax system mainly laid subsidies or levies on people’s assets to help pay for the war. In essence, it was a one-time payment imposed on all liable individuals, irrespective of their earnings or assets. The colonies’ expanding populations demanded security precautions against intruders and the construction and maintenance of railroads, schools, jails, municipal areas, and ports. Regardless of differences in tax techniques and amounts during warfare, colonial revenue loads were often a small percentage of what English taxpayers faced (Rabushka, 2008). The poll tax was one of the methods employed by southerners to disempower African Americans after the Civil War. Generally, like other disenfranchisement tactics, it was intended for certain people to prevent them from exercising their right to vote.
Property tax is a levy that was primarily imposed on land and structures. The taxation system also applied to commercial and agricultural machinery, inventory, automobiles, and intangibles like shares. Land tax rates were initially based on size instead of value throughout the ancient world and the American colonies (McLure & Harriss, 2020). The gross output of the property ultimately became the taxation basis. Although the fee was formerly a significant source of revenue, few jurisdictions still depended on other forms of payment to minimize the burden on people. Generally, property tax was the primary source of income for New England.
Direct taxation was uncommon in the US and other British colonies. There were no personal, corporate, or payroll income taxes. One overall assumption is that colonists were ready to endure extraordinarily high tax burdens to establish their autonomy (Gwaindepi, 2020). The colonists’ ambitions for independence sprang from their desire for self-government and economic prosperity (Gwaindepi, 2020). As a result, tariffs and excise duties generated a large portion of the revenue. Essentially, this meant that charges were largely imposed on commodities imported into the territories and the sale of certain products. Ultimately, the financial and fiscal crises gave birth to income taxes.
Different systems of taxes during the era of colonialism mirror the current forms of revenue collection in the UAE. Individuals in the UAE are not subject to income tax (Arnold, 2022). Citizens who are freelancers or self-employed face the exact requirements. Essentially, this is similar to the colonial period when direct taxes were minimal to reduce the burden on people and continue the rule without resistance. As a result, there is no need to file a tax return in the UAE. In contrast, oil corporations and international banks are subject to corporate taxes. Excise levies are imposed on certain hazardous commodities to human health or the environment. Most goods and services are subject to value-added tax (VAT). Finally, there is a tax for transferring property which varies between regions.
In brief, an elaborate tax system existed under colonization, which included poll, property, customs, and excise duties. The colonists had to show the authorities that they were ready to rule themselves to make their case for elected governments and sovereignty. Therefore, they balanced between collecting revenues and reducing the burden on the people. Generally, the same scenario is happening in the UAE, where people are exempted from income tax.
References
Arnold, S. (2022).A guide to the tax system in the United Arab Emirates. Expatica.
Gwaindepi, A. (2020). Fiscal capacity in ‘‘responsible government’’ colonies: The Cape Colony in comparative perspective, C. 1865–1910. European Review of Economic History, 1-30.
McLure, C. E., & Harriss, C. L. (2020). Property tax. Encyclopedia Britannica.
Rabushka, A. (2008). Taxation in colonial America. Princeton University Press.