Bachelor tax

Late 19th century illustration and perspective on the bachelor tax.

A bachelor tax is a punitive tax imposed on unmarried men. Historically many societies have imposed or attempted to impose bachelor taxes or more general taxes on childlessness. In the modern era, many countries vary tax rates by marital status, so current references to bachelor taxes are typically implicit rather than explicit.

Bachelor taxes were historically instituted as a result of young men being unwilling to marry and have children in sufficient numbers.

Ancient Rome

Bachelors in ancient Rome fell under the Lex Julia of 18 BC and the Lex Papia Poppaea of AD 9: these lay heavy fines on unmarried or childless people while providing certain privileges to those with several children. In 1695, a law known as the Marriage Duty Act was imposed on single males over 25 years old by the English Crown to help generate income for the Nine Years' War. In Britain, taxes occasionally fell heavier on bachelors than other persons: examples include 6 & 7 Will. III, the 1785 Tax on Servants, and the 1798 Income Tax.

Renaissance England

In 1695, a law known as the Marriage Duty Act was imposed on single males over 25 years old by the English Crown to help generate income for the Nine Years' War. In Britain, taxes occasionally fell more heavily on bachelors than on other persons. Examples include 6 & 7 Will. III, the 1785 Tax on Servants, and the 1798 Income Tax.

See Also

• Bachelor

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