Taxes make up increasing share of ISIS’s wealth
Trucks passing through Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) checkpoints on highways out of Iraq are being charged a tax of up to $800 per truck. Truckers are issued two tax stamps or receipts for their payments—one is shown at the next checkpoint as proof of payment, and the other is kept for the driver’s records. The taxes are in keeping with traditional Islamic tolls against merchants passing through the jurisdiction of an ‘ashir–a tax agent of an imam.
But ISIS hasn’t stopped there—they’re also collecting a tax on each bank withdrawal they authorize through ISIS-controlled banking committees in Mosul. If you’re an ordinary Mosul bank customer, you have to get permission from ISIS to withdraw your own money, and of course ISIS takes a cut along the way. ISIS probably justify their fees on the basis of reversing any “haram” interest that has accrued to depositors’ savings.
Thanks to Twitter user El Grillo for sending in both of the news items above.
The taxes suggest a deepening of ISIS’s territorial control, authority, expertise, and capacity to increase revenues domestically. Forbes also reports that ISIS is taxing telecommunications networks and basic utilities. Non-Muslims face the discriminatory jizya tax as well.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
