War Tax Stamps

In February 1915 the Special War Revenue Act was instituted to help pay for the war. It put a tax on many goods and services. Any post being sent within Canada was to be taxed 1 cent and 2 cents if it was international. War Tax stamps confused people and were often used incorrectly as postage stamps. For this reason the War Stamps were removed from circulation, and in 1916 they created one stamp which combined the tax and the postage stamp. 

Envelope with war time stamps

Miss Drew Kelly

Buttonville No 2RR

Gormley

Ont 

The stamp below on the right with 1Tc, which stands for 1 cent of tax, is the new stamp. The tax outlasted the war and remained until July 21, 1926!​

War time stamps close up

YRDSB Museum and Archives collection