Government revenue

[citation needed] Under a federalist system, sub-national governments may derive some of their revenue from federal grants.

In ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt and Rome, government revenue came primarily from taxes on trade and agriculture.

In the ancient Mesopotamia, as they lacked a currency system, households were obliged to pay taxes through goods instead.

These publicani would then collaborate with other wealthy Romans, buying grain cheaply during harvest and selling it at exorbitant prices during shortages.

Diocletian, from A.D. 284-305, implemented a universal price freeze with mixed success while reintroducing the land tax on Italian landowners, mostly paid in goods rather than money.

Moreover, the burden disproportionately fell on the local senatorial class, risking financial ruin for any shortfall in payment.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, within the crusader states, the ruling class, known collectively as the Franks, displayed a remarkable proficiency in financial management and governance.

This was largely due to their ability to inherit and utilize existing administrative systems established by their Arab and Greek predecessors.

Notably, the Holy Land had been under the rule of the Byzantine Empire for over three centuries, leaving behind intricate bureaucratic structures.

While many of the institutions vital to the crusader states were not originally their own, the Franks adeptly adapted the legacy of their predecessors to suit their own requirements.

Fees for anchoring and using harbor facilities In the Middle Ages, Feudal dues constituted another form of taxation, typically paid in goods or services rather than money and were established by custom.

Threats of excommunication held little sway, leading to successful coercion of loans from the church, which, owing to various factors, was notably wealthy.

Additionally, 30.1% of federal revenue derived from customs duties, also known as tariffs, levied on imported goods from foreign countries.

Moreover, payroll taxes increased significantly over the course of the 20th century, driven by the implementation and growth of Social Security and Medicare programs.