Zündwarensteuer was a tax in Germany applied to “Zündwaren” – things that can make fire.

The tax was originally introduced in 1909 and applied to matches, but in 1919 it was also extended to lighters.

It was discontinued in 1981.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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This podcast also talks about Pfeffersteuer (pepper tax) and Schokoladensteuer (chocolate tax).

Zuckersteuer was a tax in Germany on sugar.  The tax was originally introduced in Prussia in 1841 – one year after the sugar cube was invented.  Sugar had become more popular in previous years following the introduction of the sugar beet.

The tax was discontinued at the end of 1992.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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Salzsteuer was a tax in Germany on salt, specifically on table salt.

Originally salt was considered to be a luxury and hence was taxed.

The tax was discontinued in Germany at the beginning on 1993, in Austria in 1995, but continues to this day in some parts of Switzerland.

The type of salt that is used to keep roads clear in winter was not taxed. To avoid people buying the “wrong” type of salt and avoiding the tax, the latter was coloured and had a bitter taste added – a process called vergällen.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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Leuchtmittelsteuer is a tax that was levied in Germany on light bulbs until the end of 1992.

Originally there was a tax on candle wax, but this was “modernised” at the beginning of the 20th Century.

The tax was discontinued as part of measures to harmonise taxes within the EU.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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Download the MP3 file

This month in German Words Explained we are talking about types of tax that have been discontinued.

Tea was first taxed in Germany in the 17th Century.  At first it was the import of tea that was being taxed, but in 1953 this changed to be a tax on the sale of tea products.

The tax was discontinued at the beginning of 1993.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)

Download the MP3 file