TRIVIA NIGHT

Death and Taxes

Bottled Water

This common drink is taxable in Washington.  However, you can request a refund of the sales tax if it is prescribed to you by a doctor.

1944

In what year was the highest U.S. tax rate (94% for incomes over $200,000)?

Social Security Numbers

When the IRS began requiring taxpayers to list this info about their dependents in 1987, seven million children vanished from tax returns. (lol)

Smoke cigarettes

In 2009, citizens in Hubei, China were ordered to do what or pay a fine? (The country was in an economic crisis and this product’s taxes provided steady revenue, so a quota was set to increase sales.)

Madison Square Garden

Which venue has been exempt from New York property taxes since 1982? (The agreement was only supposed to be for 10 years.  However, it was worded incorrectly so the exemption will be in effect as long as the Knicks and Rangers keep playing their home games there.)

Indiana

In which state is marshmallow crème tax exempt, but marshmallows are not?

Rhode Island

Which state’s individual income tax return (form 1040) has emoticons on it?  (There’s a frowny face on the “Total Amount Due” line and a smiley face on the “Amount Overpaid” line.)

Al Capone

This infamous mobster was one of the America’s most notorious, but he didn’t go to jail for murder.  Instead, he was convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Fireworks

West Virginia charges a 12 percent “safety fee” (in addition to sales tax) when you buy what product?  The revenue is distributed to the Veterans’ Facility Support Fund and Fire Protection Fund.

Sweden

In what country must your child’s name must be approved by the tax agency before they turn five years old, or you’ll be fined?

Texas

Which state charges sales tax on deodorant but not on antiperspirant? (It’s exempt because the FDA requires it to be labeled with a drug facts panel.)

Willie Nelson

In 1992, this musician released “The IRS Tapes: Who’ll Buy My Memories?” to help pay off his tax debts.

Jock tax

This tax requires professional athletes to pay income taxes in almost state or city they play a game in.

Johnstown

Pennsylvania charges an additional 18% “flood tax” for every bottle of alcohol sold.  The law was originally designed to help rebuild this town after the flood of 1936 but remains in effect today.

Strip Club

Texas charges a “pole tax” for every person who visits a this kind of establishment.  The revenue goes to the Sexual Assault Program Fund and health coverage for low-income individuals.

Metabo Law

Japan introduced a fat tax known as this to fight obesity.  (Every year adults between 40 and 74 years old must have their waists measured.  If they exceed the target, 33.5 inches for men, 35.4 inches for women, they must pay a fine.)

Vespasian

During his reign (AD 69-79), this Roman emperor imposed a urine tax on the distribution of urine from its public urinals. This was used as a key ingredient in the laundry industry as a source of ammonia.

Oregon

Double amputees in this state are eligible for a $50 tax credit. (Gee, thanks)

Greece

Which ancient civilization revered the tax professional as the most noble man in society?

The telephone

Which item was first taxed as a luxury in 1898, at the start of the Spanish-American War and continues to be taxed today?

The Tariff of Abominations

Given what you know about southerners' feelings about the tariffs set between 1816 and 1832, which of the following was the name they gave to the tariff of 1828?

Windows

In 1696, England taxed houses based on the number of these, leading many to brick them up to avoid the tax.

Peter the Great

This “Great” of Russia taxed beards in 1698 to modernize Russian society.

England

The first true income tax ever was in what country, in 1404?

Benjamin Franklin

Who said “but in this world nothing can be said to be certain except death & taxes”?

The Revenue Act

This Act of 1861 was the first time income tax was levied in the US.

16th

This Amendment established the first permanent US income tax. 

Our American Cousin

What play was Abraham Lincoln watching when he got got?

Richard Conte

This actor played in the film “The Godfather”, and died on this day in 1975

Benjamin Franklin

This man, who was the oldest founding father, had a famous kite experiment that was only one of his many scientific achievements.

Rose Maddock

This country and bluegrass singer was known for playing the fiddle, and died on this day in 1998.

Joey Ramone

This signer revolutionized punk rock with his band the Ramones. He was known for his distinctive hiccups, croons, and snarls, which he incorporated in his songs.

Emma Willard

This American women's rights activist and educator who founded the 1st school for women's higher education in the US, dies on this day in 1870

Richard LeParmentier

This actor played Admiral Motti in Star Wars:A New Hope, and died on this day in 2013

Edward Smith

English naval captain of the RMS Titanic, dies when the ship sinks in the Atlantic Ocean aged 62

John Jacob Astor IV

American business magnate, real estate developer (Astoria Hotel) and soldier (richest passenger aboard the Titanic), dies aboard the Titanic at 47, presumed drowned

Raymond Bailey

American actor (Vertigo, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Incredible Shrinking Man), dies at 75 on this day in 1980

Boer

George Frederick Ives, British-Canadian army veteran & last survivor of what war, died on this day

Brant Parker

American cartoonist (co-creator of "The Wizard of Id") dies on this day in 2007

Sean Costello

This man was an American blues musician, renowned for his fiery guitar playing and soulful singing. He released five critically acclaimed albums before his career was cut short by his sudden death from a drug overdose on this day in 2008

(Winston) "Wink" Martindale

American TV game show host (Tic-Tac-Dough; Gambit; Can You Top This), producer, and radio DJ, dies at 91 in 2025

Owen Kay Garriott

American electrical engineer and NASA astronaut (Skylab 3, STS 9), dies at 88 in 2019

Joe Terry

American Doo-wop singer (Danny & The Juniors - "At The Hop"), dies at 78 in 2019

Georgia Tech

Historic athletic program famously known for the 1916 record-setting 222-0 football win

The Ramblin Wreck

A 1930 Ford Model A Sports Coupe, it has led Georgia Tech onto Grant Field in every home game since 1961.

Buzz The Hornet

What is the name of Georgia Tech’s mascot?

The Flats

The GT football field is nicknamed this because it was one of the few low areas on campus.

Empress Suiko

The first reigning Empress of Japan in recorded history died on this day in 682 A.D