The hat tax was established by the British government from 1784 to 1811 years, but only with men. The tax was introduced by the Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger and was an easy way to raise money for the Treasury.
It was assumed that wealthier people will have more expensive hats, while the poor just one cheap or not at all.
Tax on hats demanded that retailers had to purchase the license, the cost of which was 2 pounds in London, and 5 shillings – in other areas of the country.
Taxes were paid by everyone from the producers to the consumers. Those who didn’t pay hat taxes were levied huge fines. The death penalty were promised to those who made the fake document of the payment of that hat tax.
The hat tax
