death and taxes

death and taxes

Two things generally regarded as certain to happen, inevitable, or unavoidable. A reference to the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." They just aren't right for each other, so I think their break-up is as certain as death and taxes. The two brothers will be forever at each other's throats, as sure as death and taxes.
See also: and, death, taxes
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

death and taxes

If you compare something to death and taxes, you mean that it is impossible to avoid. As with death and taxes, it was a certain that the rain would arrive just in time for their holiday. Note: Benjamin Franklin said `In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.'
See also: and, death, taxes
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

death and taxes

Symbols of inevitability. Benjamin Franklin observed that “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” English novelist Daniel Defoe said much the same thing a century earlier.
See also: and, death, taxes
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • death and taxes, certain as
  • taxes
  • (as) certain as death and taxes
  • (as) sure as death and taxes
  • certain
  • treat (someone or something) like (someone or something else)
  • treat like
  • under certain circumstances
  • be a dead cert
  • under certain conditions
References in periodicals archive
As Benjamin Franklin said, 'In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes' and, whilst this is true, there are some interesting tax breaks available to those considering repatriation and becoming a resident.
The retirement question
There's still a lot of uncertainty, and death and taxes are the only things that are certain."
Coming back strong: sales of last-to-die life insurance rebounded greatly in 2004, fueled by estate-tax uncertainty and old-fashioned industry innovation