Tekalif-i orfiye


Tekalif-i orfiye was a type of taxation in the Ottoman Empire.
Tekalif-i orfiye was a blanket terms for several different ad hoc charges which were, initially, extraordinary taxes raised in war-time. They were variously paid in cash or in kind, and rates could vary, depending on the community's ability to pay. By the time of the Tanzimat reforms, tekalif-i orfiye included ninety different excise taxes.
Tekalif dues became high in the 17th century. However, the Ottoman Empire's complex web of tax exemptions also touched on tekalif; taxpayers could be exempted for public service, and sometimes a district's could be exempted due to exceptional hardship. Some Janissaries were exempted from tekalif-i orfiye although Janissary status could be effectively hereditary rather than a real military role.
A muafname might exempt a community from some or all tekalif-i orfiye.

Other uses

Usage of the term "Tekalif" can be confused in places; "Tekalif" is a general term meaning "tax", but there were several different specific applications:
Some documents may simply refer to "tekalif" without specifying which tax is concerned.