This city is serious about collecting tax money, and even workers in this nontraditional industry must pay up — or face steep fines.
In the German city of Bonn, prostitutes must now carry a ticket from a “sex tax meter,” (similar to a parking-meter machine) while they’re on the clock.
Prostitutes can purchase a ticket for 6 euros ($8.72) per night from the meters. If caught without a valid ticket, prostitutes will first be issued a warning. After that, they face significant fines and even a permanent ban from prostitution for subsequent offenses.
In Germany, prostitutes must pay income tax, which differs from region to region. However, because prostitution is conducted on the streets, enforcing the tax laws is no easy task.
Given the mounting debt problems here, stealing a page from Germany’s playbook doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.