And you're using far too strict of a definition of tax. Think of it another way: if I make $1, and the government takes $0.10, but then gives me back $0.05 late

And you're using far too strict of a definition of tax. Think of it another way: if I make $1, and the government takes $0.10, but then gives me back $0.05 later, but my rich neighbor who makes $10 the government takes $1 and he only gets back $0.10 later... how is my neighbor not taxed more (effectively) than me?