World History
Tax Havens
Armenia
Direct vs. Indirect Taxes
Tax Systems
100

This ancient civilization taxed citizens based on the size of their homes' doors and windows.

What is Ancient Egypt?

100

This tiny European country is known for its banking secrecy and has long been associated with tax sheltering, despite recent reforms.

What is Switzerland?

100

Armenia’s current personal income tax system is this type, where everyone pays the same percentage of income.

What is a flat/proportional tax?

100

This type of tax is paid directly by individuals or organizations to the government, based on income or profit.

What is a direct tax?

100

In this type of tax system, the more income you earn, the higher percentage you pay.

What is a progressive tax system?

200

In Ancient Rome, this was taxed so heavily that people began to avoid public places to reduce costs.

What is urine?

200

This Caribbean island, a British Overseas Territory, has more registered companies than people and is famous for being a corporate tax haven.

What are the Cayman Islands?

200

This ancient Armenian kingdom was known to have implemented a tax in kind — a portion of crops or livestock — to fund royal infrastructure and armies.

What is the Kingdom of Urartu?

200

This is a common example of an indirect tax, applied to most consumer goods at the point of sale.

What is a value-added tax (VAT) or sales tax?

200

In this system, everyone pays the same tax rate, regardless of income level.

What is a flat tax system?

300

In 18th-century England, this fashion accessory for men was taxed, causing a rise in underground barbers.

What is a wig (or powdered wig)?

300

This principality bordered by France is known for having no income tax, making it a haven for the ultra-wealthy, including Formula 1 drivers.

What is Monaco?

300

This is Armenia’s main tax collection authority, responsible for administering income, VAT, and corporate taxes.

What is the State Revenue Committee (SRC)?

300

Unlike indirect taxes, direct taxes are usually based on this financial measure of an individual or company.

What is income (or profit)?

300

When lower-income individuals pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than the rich, the tax system is called this.

What is a regressive tax system?

400

In 18th-century Russia, Peter the Great taxed these human features to promote Western appearance.

What are beards?

400

This legal tool is often used in tax havens to conceal the true owner of assets, separating ownership from control.  

What is a trust (or shell company)?  

400

The Armenian Constitution assigns authority over taxation and budget approval to this body.

What is the National Assembly of Armenia?

400

This direct tax is imposed on land or buildings owned by individuals or businesses.

What is property tax?

400

In this region, people pay the highest income taxes, but receive extensive public services like free healthcare and education.

What is Nordic countries (or any Scandinavian country like Denmark or Norway)?

500

This protest in 1773 against British taxation involved angry colonists tossing tea into Boston Harbor.

What is the Boston Tea Party?

500

This international set of disclosures by the ICIJ (released in 2021) revealed hidden assets and offshore dealings of 35 world leaders and more than 300 public officials.

What are the Pandora Papers?

500

This economic classification system, adopted by Armenia for tax and statistical purposes, is based on the EU’s NACE system.

What is the ARMSTAT Classification of Economic Activities (or NACE equivalent in Armenia)?

500

Excise duties on cigarettes, fuel, or alcohol are considered this type of tax and are often used to discourage consumption.

What is an indirect tax (or sin tax)?

500

This South American country has had one of the world’s most progressive tax systems, with high rates on top earners — but struggles with tax evasion.

What is Argentina?