Prostitution 'Tax Meters' Unveiled in German Town

Prostitution, which is legal in Germany, must be taxed like any other industry. To make certain no tax dollar goes uncollected, the city of Bonn has installed the equivalent of "parking meters" on its streets to serve as depositories where prostitutes can pay their nightly taxes.

According to BBC, the prostitutes are taxed six euros per night, or, the equivalent of about nine U.S. dollars. Isabelle Klotz, a spokeswoman for the city, said they expect to collect roughly 200,000 euros per year from the meter:

Those who fail to pay face fines or even a ban, and 264 euros were found in the meter when it was first emptied, according to AFP news agency.

Tax has been levied on prostitutes elsewhere but Bonn is the first city to use a meter, a spokeswoman said.

But a prostitutes' rights activist said the scheme amounted to double taxation.

Prostitutes are expected to pay the flat rate, regardless of earnings.

According to BBC, Bonn has also erected "consummation areas" -- in this instance, wooden garages -- where prostitutes may service their clients.

ITN News provides the report below: