Postal tax stamp

A Postal tax stamp refers to a stamp which raises revenue for charity or war related projects.[2] Postal tax stamps are similar to semipostals, except their use is mandatory instead of voluntary. They are used to show payment of a compulsory tax on mailing letters and parcels. The taxes often go to a charitable institution or fund.[3]

The postal tax stamp originated in Spain and Portugal. Many Balkan nations and some Latin American nations have been the most prolific issuers of postal tax stamps. There are no postal tax stamps in the United States.[4]

References

  1. ^ Actividades Filatelicas (Official Journal of the Philatelic Club of the Republic of Cuba), April 1943, No.23, page 7.
  2. ^ Cabeen, Richard McP.; The Standard Handbook of Stamp Collecting, Rev.Ed. (1986).
  3. ^ Klug, Janet. "Inexpensive postal tax stamps offer a collecting challenge". Refresher Course. Linn's Stamp News. http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/inexpensive_20080728/refreshercourse.aspx. 
  4. ^ Miller, Rick. "Revenue or postage stamp, or a bit of both?". Refresher Course. Linn's Stamp News. http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/taxstamps_20011008/refreshercourse.aspx.