Tax on intercourse

1971: Rhode Island legislator Bernard C. Gladstone proposed that every male "over the age of puberty" would be taxed $2 for every act of intercourse they engaged in. However, "only acts of sexual intercourse occurring in Rhode Island, either by residents or tourists, could be taxed."

Lewiston Evening Journal - Jan 9, 1971

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Posted By: Alex - Wed Mar 15, 2023
Category: Government | Sexuality | 1970s

Comments

I'm reminded of the Monty Python sketch where it was proposed to tax...thingie. One comment in the sketch was "This will certainly make chartered accountancy more interesting."

Posted by Brewvet on 03/15/23 at 10:33 AM

It reminds me of a cartoon from a Playboy of the time where a couple is arrested for "exceeding the speed allowed in this state."

Posted by KDP on 03/15/23 at 02:30 PM

Someone once proposed taxing men based on the length of their male member. It would be self-reported but a matter of public record. How many would under-report to save money and how many would over-report for the sake of their image? Enquiring minds want to know.

Posted by Phideaux on 03/15/23 at 07:11 PM

That's an excellent progressive tax. Young and poor people will underreport to save money and face, while older and richer people will overreport to improve self-esteem. Also, if they see a disrepancy in husband and wife's reporting, tax preparators could send them to a marriage counsellor.

Posted by Yudith on 03/16/23 at 07:05 AM

Reminded of the old joke:
Q: Do you smoke after sex?
A: I've never looked.

Posted by Virtual in Carnate on 03/16/23 at 09:59 AM

Virtual -- If you smoke after sex, you're doing it too fast!

Posted by Phideaux on 03/16/23 at 02:13 PM

Prove it. I claim, on my tax record, that I had "intercourse" with Miss Prude. Miss Prude indignantly denies it. Whom does the IRS believe? Who gets hauled in front of the judges?

Posted by Richard Bos on 03/18/23 at 10:00 AM

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