January 30 marks the official start of the 2013 tax season. And what better way to celebrate tax season than to honor our nation's complex and utterly bizarre tax code?
Check out some of the weirdest U.S. tax laws below:
15 Super Weird Taxes
Sliced Bagel Tax(01 of15)
You might want to think twice about getting that schmear. In New York City, bagels that are sliced or prepared are subject to sales tax, whereas whole bagels are not, according to the Wall Street Journal. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="25" data-vars-position-in-unit="26">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/5361206960" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="woodleywonderworks" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/73645804@N00/5361206960" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="26" data-vars-position-in-unit="27">woodleywonderworks</a>)
Pet Tax(02 of15)
If you live in Durham, North Carolina, you could be paying a tax on Rover. The state charges a $10 tax for neutered and spayed pets and $75 for pets that are not neutered or spayed, according to Turbo Tax. (credit:Shutterstock)
Candy Tax(03 of15)
In Illinois, all candies are subject to an extra tax, unless they contain flour, like the Whopper pictured here. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Elderly Tax Exemption(04 of15)
By the time you're 100, you've paid enough in taxes, at least according to the state of New Mexico, where people over 100 years old are tax-exempt. (credit:Shutterstock)
Flush Tax(05 of15)
If it's yellow, let it mellow could be the motto of some Maryland and Virginia residents looking to save money. In these two states there's a tax on flushing the toilet, according to Bing. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="19" data-vars-position-in-unit="20">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23116228@N07/8388175670" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Sustainable sanitation" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/23116228@N07/8388175670" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="20" data-vars-position-in-unit="21">Sustainable sanitation</a>)
Crack Tax(06 of15)
Tennessee anonymously collects a tax on illegal drugs, according to NPR. In 2006, the state collected $1.5 million from the tax. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Diaper Tax(07 of15)
Adult diapers are exempt from sales tax in Connecticut, but if you're buying diapers for your kids you'll have to pay taxes on those, according to Thomson Reuters. (credit:Getty Images)
Napkin Tax(08 of15)
Colorado levies a tax on "non essential" food packaging items, according to Business Insider. That means you'll pay a tax on paper cup lids and napkins, but not on paper cups themselves. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="14" data-vars-position-in-unit="15">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10883933@N07/7232801772" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="IvanWalsh.com" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/10883933@N07/7232801772" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="15" data-vars-position-in-unit="16">IvanWalsh.com</a>)
Sex Tax(09 of15)
Businesses in Utah that employ nude or partly nude workers are required to pay a 10 percent sales tax, according to U.S. News and World Report. (credit:AP)
Card Deck Tax(10 of15)
If you buy cards in Alabama you'll pay a 10 cent tax on the deck, according to Turbo Tax. Meanwhile, Nevada gives free decks in exchange for completed returns. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Holiday Decorations Tax(11 of15)
In Texas, holiday-themed pictures that are meant to be placed on walls are taxed, according to efile.com. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="10">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47166549@N00/8381566559" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="latteda" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47166549@N00/8381566559" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="10" data-vars-position-in-unit="11">latteda</a>)
Tattoo Tax(12 of15)
In Arkansas, there's a 6 percent sales tax on tattoos, according to Turbo Tax. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64118549@N03/6692203151" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="ValentinaM-" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/64118549@N03/6692203151" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">ValentinaM-</a>)
Litigation Tax(13 of15)
New York has a tax on litigation, according to ABC News. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69613400@N06/8223098211" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="cousine4everkis" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bb2e643e4b0480ca65e4673" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/69613400@N06/8223098211" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">cousine4everkis</a>)
Hot Air Balloon Tax(14 of15)
In Kansas, you have to pay taxes on that hot air balloon ride -- or risk flying away. In that state tethered balloons are taxed, but those that roam free are not because they are considered a legitimate form of transportation, according to ABC. (credit:AP)
Fresh Fruit Vending Machine Tax(15 of15)
Another reason not to buy your fruit from a vending machine. Fresh fruit is exempt from sales tax in California, unless it's sold from a vending machine, according to U.S. News and World Report. (credit:Getty Images)
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