Long Read

Taxes in Āqchah: A Street Artist's Survival Guide

@David Vance2/8/2026blog
Taxes in Āqchah: A Street Artist's Survival Guide

so, turns out being a street artist in Āqchah comes with its own set of tax headaches-who knew? not me, obviously, until i got slapped with a bill for my chalk murals last month.


here’s the tea: rent’s dirt cheap-like $150/month for a crumbling-but-charming spot near the bazaar. but the local tax office? they don’t exactly roll out the red carpet for creatives. safety-wise? it’s a mixed bag-keep your head down after dark, especially near the old soviet-era apartments. the job market? mostly trade gigs, but if you’re slick, you can score a mural commission from a local shop owner.

street art in Āqchah


the dust here has a personality-today it’s clingy, like a bad ex, sticking to everything you own. and hey, if you’re feeling adventurous, kunduz is just a 3-hour drive north, or mazar-i-sharif’s a short flight away for a change of scenery.


“tax forms here are written in a language i swear was invented to confuse people-maybe they’re just bored?”
- overheard at a tea stall near the post office


real talk: the local council taxes anything that looks like income, even if you’re trading art for bread. i found a helpful guide on tripadvisor that breaks down the weird fees, but it’s outdated as hell.

Āqchah bazaar


“if you’re gonna do street art, bribe the right people. or just paint fast and run.”
- drunk advice from a guy at yelp’s top-rated kebab spot


pro tip: keep a ledger on your phone, because the tax office loves charging ‘maintenance fees’ for no reason. and for real, join this local expat subreddit-someone always has the latest gossip on dodgy tax collectors.


“they’ll tax your breath if they could. just paint in secret, like a rebel.”
- something a local grandma warned me while haggling over spices


so yeah, taxes in Āqchah are a headache, but the city’s raw energy makes it worth it-just don’t forget to stash some cash under your mattress.


You might also be interested in:

About the author: David Vance

Writing is my way of listening.

Loading discussion...