A tax the Gemara mentions is a tax solely to enrich the ruler and/or tax collectors. Taxes in places like America Bizman Hazeh are more like a Shutfus between all of the residents on a local, state, and national level because that tax money is used for what the government determines is best for its constituents. (And while that might not always be what is best for the Jews it still counts as a Shutfus because the government is intending to make the best possible choices from their point of view for the most people.)
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