Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Interestingly, what you see as completely normal (other taxes) was once as disturbing as capital tax seems to be:

> Window tax was a property tax based on the number of windows in a house.

> At that time, many people in Britain opposed income tax, on principle, because the disclosure of personal income represented an unacceptable governmental intrusion into private matters, and a potential threat to personal liberty. In fact the first permanent British income tax was not introduced until 1842 [note by me: not until 1914 in France!], and the issue remained intensely controversial well into the 20th century.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_tax



I don't think it's normal, and the bits were right, it is a direct threat to liberty.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: