Tekalif-i örfiye was a type of taxation in the Ottoman Empire.[1][2]
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 (to an extent), depending on the community's ability to pay.[3] By the time of the Tanzimat reforms, tekalif-i orfiye included ninety different excise taxes.[4]
Tekalif dues became high in the 17th century.[5] However, the Ottoman Empire's complex web of tax exemptions also touched on tekalif; taxpayers could be exempted for public service (for instance, by running a hostel for pilgrims), and sometimes a district's could be exempted due to exceptional hardship (for instance, if the district had already paid heavily towards other taxes, or been ravaged by warfare).[5] Some Janissaries were exempted from tekalif-i orfiye[6] although Janissary status could be effectively hereditary rather than a real military role.
Amuafname might exempt a community from some or all tekalif-i orfiye.
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.
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