The history of tax development
Egyptian farmers confiscated for not paying taxes. (Pyramid age). The first known system of taxation was in ancient Egypt around 3000-2800 BC during the first dynasty of Egypt in the Old Kingdom of Egypt. The earliest and most common form of taxation is corvée and tithing. Corvée has forced labor to provide the state by too poor farmers to pay for other forms of taxation (labor in ancient Egypt was a synonym for tax). Records from the time document that Pharaoh will perform a biennial tour of the kingdom, collecting decimals from the people. Other records are detailed receipts on pieces of stone and papyrus. Early tax is also described in the Bible. In Genesis (chapter 47, verse 24 - New International Version), it says, "But when the plants come, give a fifth to the Pharaoh. Food for yourself and your family and children. " Joseph told the Egyptians how to divide their crops, providing part of the Pharaoh. A portion (20%) of the crop is taxed (in this case, a special tax rather than a regular tax, as it is collected against the expected famine).