How to Pay Income Tax in the Monopoly Game

You have a choice to make when you land on "Income Tax" in Monopoly.

The classic board game Monopoly has entertained households for decades. The game consists of players moving their pieces around a square board with the option to purchase real estate that can be used to extract money from fellow players. One space on the board, "Income Tax," offers you a choice. You either can pay $200 to the bank or elect to pay 10 percent of your total worth. If you land on the space, you have to make the decision before tabulating your holdings.

Instructions

1. Keep a running tally of your total worth, including cash, printed prices for all properties in your possession and building costs. Having this total before landing on Income Tax allows you to choose the option that results in the least amount of money being paid to the bank.

2. Multiply your total worth by 10 percent, or 0.1. For example, if you have $3,000, then 10 percent is $300.

3. Compare the 10 percent calculation to the fixed amount of $200. Pay the lesser amount to the bank.

Tips & Warnings

• When you pay to the bank, the money essentially disappears. You do not pay the money to another player, nor to "Free Parking," which many people mistakenly believe is used as a type of jackpot for distributing such fines and fees.

References

• Tripod: Oficial Monopoly Rules - Income Tax