In Germany, we use the same word „Steuern“ for both taxes and steering. The purpose of taxes in many cases is to change (steer) behavior, besides generating state income. Same can apply for customs, which are often intended more to protect local products against imports, and less to create state income

>Paris is famous for its use of the Mansard-style roof, which was designed to shelter residents not only from the weather but also from taxes that were levied on the number of floors below the roofline.

This is wrong. Said tax is from 1783, while Mansard died in 1666.

It is more like an half truth, probably it was designed for some reasons in the 17th century, but widely adopted only in late 18th century for some other reasons.