Bizzare Taxes and Even Stranger Deductions

If there is any spark of creativity in the political machine, it burns bright in the tax department. More specifically, in the offices of those who dream up new things to charge consumers for. However, we the people will not sit quietly while our hard earned dollars fill the government coffer.

In that spirit, we are going take a look at some of the most unusual money makers the government has dreamed up and some of the most creative deductions people have actually argued successfully for.

Iowa's Jack-O'Lantern Tax

What is your intent regarding that recently acquired pumpkin? If you are not going to turn it into a pie or otherwise consume it and you live in Iowa, you might have to pay a tax. The good news is that no states currently charge additional taxes for the macironi used in your child's art projects beyond what you might pay for packing it in their lunch.

Don't forget NOT to Flush!

Citizens of Maryland pay a waste water production tax. So if you forget to flush in Maryland you can claim that you are neither slovenly nor forgetful. You are simply being thrifty.

Brain Food Tax

Laboratory tests have provided evidence that blueberries might help improve learning capacity. If you live in Maine you will have to pay a little more your brain boosting berries.

Group Fun Tax

Several states charge an entertainment tax when purchasing tickets to any event that accommodates a large number of people. What counts as large number varies, but may start as low as 750 depending on where you live. The one on one entertainment that can be legally purchchased in certain parts of Nevada is currently exempt from this tax.

Pot Tax

Tennessee currently requires taxes to be paid on illegal drugs. Dealers in illegal substances are asked to acquire a tax stamp for their product. Just one more expense that will doubtless be passed on to the consumer.

Politicians are not the ones that are creative when it comes to taxes. Some tax savvy citizens fight back by declaring unique deductions.

The Deductable Kitty

In one instance a business owner was successful at getting the cost of his cat food deducted from his tax bill. The business in question used the feline as four legged mouse trap to keep the place rodent free. This one actually went to court before the IRS gave in. It's a little surprising that IRS missed the obvious argument that if the cat as doing it's job it wouldn't need to be fed.

Deductible Double D's

An adult performer was successfully able to claim that her breast implants were a tax write. The tax court officially doubled them a "stage prop". Does this one really need a comment?

Elder Ostrich

An ostrich farmer was successful in claiming depreciation on an aging Ostrich used for breeding. It's a little insulting to the aging avian don't you think?

Hopefully this has inspired you to look for your own creative moves in the tax game. Just make sure you check with a tax professional before you try to claim Fido's dental bill since it is widely suspected that the IRS wrote of �â'¬Å"sense of humor�â'¬ï¿½ as a loss many years ago.