Politicians are geniuses—true visionaries—when it comes to taking your money without actually calling it a tax. After all, “tax” is such an ugly word. It makes people angry, and we wouldn’t want that! Instead, they come up with brilliant alternatives that sound much more palatable.

Take fees, for example. Want to renew your driver’s license? That’ll be $90, but don’t worry—it’s not a tax! It’s just a small administrative fee to ensure the Ministry of Transportation continues its stellar reputation for speed and efficiency.

Then there are tolls, because why should roads you already paid for with gas taxes be free to drive on? No, no, you should definitely contribute every time you pass through a toll booth. It’s just another way to “enhance infrastructure,” meaning politicians get to build more things that will also have tolls.

Of course, there are permits. Want to build a shed in your own backyard? That’ll be $500 for a permit, so the government can make sure you’re not committing the heinous crime of unauthorized storage.

And let’s not forget surcharges—the sneaky little additions to utility bills, airline tickets, and anything else that might go unnoticed. But don’t worry, it’s all for your benefit!

Genius, right?