Tax Man Hits the Pavement in Argentina With Strange Duty on Asphalt, ATMs

A number of unusual taxes, including those on the use of asphalt and cash machines , may reportedly soon be introduced in the Argentine city of La Plata.

Julio Garro, mayor of the Argentine city of La Plata, has called for the introduction of an array of bizarre taxes, among them those on the use of asphalt  by car owners and on banks and their ATMs for the use of public space, local media reported.

Garro insists that the bank branches should pay 30,000 Argentine pesos (about 2,000 dollars) annually for each ATM installed outside, which he said adds to a queue in the street, impeding the movement of pedestrians.

My first piece for @SavoteurCo on a weekend break to the city of La Plata, Buenos Aires https://t.co/UCbqYUKCrG pic.twitter.com/TaB6Zzdt6R

— Vanessa Bell (@cremetoursBA) 20 января 2016 г.

As for the so-called "tax on the asphalt," it will be paid by those who will buy new and second-hand vehicles and it will total approximately 0.5 percent of the purchase price. The tax will also affect motorcycle owners.

The local authorities claim that the funds collected from these taxes will be used for road work on the city streets and the installation of traffic signs in order to "provide citizens with better service."