The Stamp Tax is Alive and Well

So, some of you may remember from American history class a little something called the Stamp Act, which helped usher in the Revolution. Basically, Founding Father types were perturbed by having to pay yet another tax without having voted on it, this one requiring that it be paid whenever processing official (and, seemingly, unofficial) documents. (Once tea got added into the taxing mix it was all over for King Georgie.)

Well, Trofie Wife is here to report that the Stamp Tax is alive and well in Italy! Something called a marca da bollo must be affixed on pretty much everything, and like most essential things in this country, can be purchased from the tabacchi. Trofie Wife has spotted it on such varied places as the wedding certificates posted outside the Office of Demographic Records and the doors of shops that have made any sort of policy change, including taking vacation. (Martello insists that he has walked by many a shop with a posted notice that lacks the marca da bollo, to which Trofie Wife says: tax evaders!!)

The current cost of this marca da bollo is nearly 15 euros. Nice scam they got going here. Too bad the Brits couldn’t pull it off back home and the Patriots keep it going. Just think of the surplus that would now be available for mass transit and green infrastructure!

Baci e gelato,

Martello e Trofie Wife