There is a substantial difference between fees and taxes. Fees are tied to something specific. This has two implications: First, they cannot be used for somethi

There is a substantial difference between fees and taxes. Fees are tied to something specific. This has two implications: First, they cannot be used for something else. Second: The height of the fee must not exceed the cost of the service and thus is at least in principle something that can be checked. For example, some public health insurance providers in germany had excess money and they had to refund that to their customers. Taxes are under no such regime. It may seem like one is like the other, but it’s really an important distinction.