At Taxback we’ve got a great interest in everything tax related and love to see a bit of tax humour popping up on our screens every now and then.
We take a look at some of the funniest lines from cinema and television that has got our sides splitting. The topic of taxes can be quite uninteresting, we’re not going to be blind to that fact but, when comedy writers use it in their work there’s always some great moments. We hope you enjoy the collection as much as we do!
“The Blue Brothers” (1980)
This famous 1980 release followed the struggles of Elwood and Jake Blues as they try to make up the funds to repay the taxes owed by the orphanage that they both grew up in. This scene sees the two brothers getting ready to embark on their journey.
Elwood: It’s 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it’s dark… and we’re wearing sunglasses.
Jake: Hit it!
“The Simpsons” – Trouble With The Trillions Episode (1998)
In this memorable “The Simpsons” episode, Homer’s inability to file his tax returns correctly lands him in major trouble with the FBI. Also, earlier in this episode Ned Flanders explains to his son Rod what exactly taxes cover the cost of. Quite accurately, if I don’t say so myself!
Rod Flanders:Daddy, what do taxes pay for?
Ned Flanders:Oh, why, everything! Policemen, trees, sunshine! And let’s not forget the folks who just don’t feel like working, God bless ’em!
Homer:Look at those morons! I paid my taxes over a year ago!
“Happy Gilmore” (1996)
After his grandmother is evicted from her home after not paying taxes for many and is forced to live in a retirement home, Happy Gillmore (played by Adam Sandler) trie’s to play his way to finding the funds to get the house back. He finds out that he has the most powerful drive in golfing history and enters himself into the US Open to win the prize money so that he can return the home back to his grandmother.
IRS Agent:[to Happy] Mrs. Gilmore owes the IRS two hundred and seventy thousand dollars in back taxes. We have to take the house. And if you can’t get the money together in ninety days, we’re gonna have to sell the house to someone else.
Happy Gilmore:But she’s an old lady. I mean, look at her. She’s old. You can’t just take her stuff. She’s too old.
IRS Agent:I’m sorry, I have no discretion. Her stuff is now our stuff.
“Robin Hood” (1973)
In Disney’s animated version of the Robin of Loxley story, we animals take on the roles of the famous characters of this age old story. The bursts of song add a different flavour to what was originally a dark story and we see the Sherriff of Nottingham caught up in the excitement of the singing and Prince John isn’t too eager to join in.
Prince John:[shouts] Enough!
[throws the glass jug at the Sheriff, but it hits the wall and the wine rains down on him]Sheriff of Nottingham:But, but Sire, it’s a big hit. The whole village is singing it.
Prince John:Oh, they are, are they? Well, they’ll be singing a different tune. Double the taxes! Triple the taxes!
[grabs Sir Hiss by the neck]Prince John:Squeeze every last drop out of those insolent musical peasants.
Prince John:Taxes! Taxes! Beautiful, lovely taxes! Ah-hah! Ah-hah!
Hiss:Sire, you have an absolute skill for encouraging contributions from the poor.
[chuckles]Prince John:To coin a phrase, my dear counselor, rob the poor to give the rich.
Photo by Mollie Sivaram on Unsplash