value-added tax
Value-added tax is a compulsory contribution masquerading as a neutral consumption surcharge, ensuring the government collects a slice at every stage. It lends a veneer of legitimacy to the added value created by businesses, while magnifying the buyer’s remorse at checkout. With each payment, one feels a moment of civic pride and the unmistakable lightness of a thinning wallet. Under the guise of revenue transparency, arcane calculations breed legions of accountants. A sublime twist of irony that brings an unexpected thrill to every transaction.