Servant Tax
Location :
United Kingdom (1777-1792)
Impact :
Increased the cost of employing servants, affecting household staffing and domestic life.
How it worked:
A tax on male servants, aimed at generating revenue from households employing servants.
Summary:
The Servant Tax in the United Kingdom, imposed from 1777 to 1792, was a tax on male servants aimed at generating revenue from households employing servants.
This tax increased the cost of employing servants, affecting household staffing and domestic life. The additional expense often led to a reduction in the number of servants employed, impacting the functioning of larger households.
The Servant Tax illustrates how the taxation of labor can influence employment practices and social structures.
The Domestic Levy
TRIVIA QUESTIONS
When was the Domestic Levy introduced in the United Kingdom?
1777
Which government implemented the Domestic Levy in the United Kingdom?
The British government under Prime Minister Lord North
What was the primary reason for introducing the Domestic Levy?
To raise revenue for the government, particularly to fund military expenses during the American Revolutionary War
Which items were primarily targeted by the Domestic Levy?
Domestic servants and household staff
How was the Domestic Levy collected?
As a tax on households based on the number of domestic servants they employed
What was a common reaction of the public to the Domestic Levy?
Opposition from wealthy households who employed multiple servants, as it increased their living costs
How did the Domestic Levy impact households in the late 18th century?
It made employing domestic servants more expensive, leading some households to reduce their staff
Which social class was most affected by the Domestic Levy?
The upper and middle classes, who were the primary employers of domestic servants
What was one method used by people to avoid paying the Domestic Levy?
Underreporting the number of servants they employed or using informal labor arrangements
When was the Domestic Levy repealed?
1792, as part of broader tax reforms and changes in government policy
What broader historical context surrounded the introduction of the Domestic Levy?
A period of significant military expenditure and economic strain due to the American Revolutionary War, leading to increased taxation measures
