8 Craziest Taxes You Probably Didn't Know About

The IRS assesses what is know as a “gift tax” on the transfer of property between one taxpayer to another while receiving either nothing or something with a less than equal value in return. The IRS code claims that any gift can be taxed, but there are many exceptions. According to the IRS the gifts under the annual exclusion amount, gifts relating to educational or medial expenses, gifts to a spouse, and donations to a political organization or charity are not taxable.

In addition to the gift tax, there are dozens of other strange taxes American taxpayers are forced to pay every year. Below is a list of the top 8 craziest taxes paid by citizen pay across the country.

1) Illegal Drug Possession

11 states in this country, including North Carolina and Nevada, tax citizens on possession of illegal drugs. After acquiring an illegal substance in North Carolina you can go to the Department of Revenue and pay a tax on the drug. In exchange, you will receive a stamp to affix to your drug which serves as evidence that a tax was paid.

Although you do not need to show any form of identification to pay the tax, and it is illegal for revenue employees to snitch, only about 77 North Carolinians have come forth to pay the illegal drug tax since it’s inception. However, the tax has generated an estimated $78.3 million in state revenue. But nearly all of these funds were generated for taxes levied on illegal drug users who were busted by the police and forced to pay the tax.

2) Profit from Illegal Drug Dealing

In addition to taxes on illegal drugs by many state governments, anyone profiting from the sale of illegal substances must claim the money as income on their federal tax returns. According to the IRS, "illegal income, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1040, line 21, or on Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity."

3) Utah Nudity Tax

In the State of Utah, taxpayers that own businesses where "nude or partially nude individuals perform any service" have to pay a 10% sales and use tax. It applies to all revenue from admission fees as well as the sales of merchandise, food, drink and services. These expenses are paid by the business owners who likely pass along the additional costs to their customers.

4) Money received from bribes

According to Page 87 of the Internal Revenue Service code, "if you receive a bribe, {you must} include it in your income." But what are the odds that some one who accepts a bribe will be willing to pay taxes on it?

5) Jock Taxes

Multiple states and local governments assess a specific tax on the income earned by athletes, and the wages they pay to non-athletic employees such as personal assistants. California was the first state to levy a jock tax in 1991, but today most states with a professional sports team impose a jock tax.

6) Stolen Property Taxes

Page 90 - "If you steal property, you must report its fair market value in your income in the year you steal unless in the same year, you return it to its rightful owner." Are there actually criminals out there stupid enough to go for this?

7) Alabama Card Tax

Anyone who purchases a deck of cards in the state of Alabama must pay a ten-cent ”card tax.” However, the state law claims that the tax must be levied on the purchase of any deck containing "no more than 54 cards". So if you want to avoid the tax you can look for a deck with an extra joker.

8) Maine Blueberry Tax

If you live in Maine and love blueberries, you might be surprised to know that the state levies a tax on the blueberry industry. According to the law, anyone who grows, purchases, sells, handles or processes blueberries is subject to a $0.75 tax per pound.