I did a column last Sunday on paying the state $59 to register my already registered car, with the county adding another $20 for a useless “Use Tax.”

I asked readers to e-mail me their tales of ridiculous taxes, fees and surcharges encountered in this, the highest state/local tax region in the nation. My e-mail inbox overflowed. Let the venting begin!

Mr. Esmonde: My family’s company pays $50 a year for the “privilege” of collecting sales tax FOR THE STATE! — C.K.

Dear C.K. — They ought to pay you a fee. Which they then could tax.

Mr. Esmonde: How is this for highway robbery? I got a $50 fine in Tonawanda Town Court for a seat belt violation — plus an $85 state surcharge! — C. H., Buffalo.

Dear C. H. — And they weren’t even wearing hoodies and ski masks!

Mr. Esmonde: My latest auto insurance bill had a Plus NYS Law Enforcement fee of $5. I checked and found out ... the money is turned over to the state for [law enforcement]. I thought that our taxes paid for police protection. — G. D., Orchard Park.

Dear G. D. — Haven’t you noticed how much better the law enforcement is since they started collecting this fee?

Mr. Esmonde: My previous residence was in South Carolina. The maximum tax there on new car purchases is $300. I purchased a $30,000 car in Buffalo with a sales tax of $2,625. The average car is probably bought and sold at least three times, with the 8.75 percent tax applied each time. — J. G.

Dear J. G. — Charleston never looked so good!

Mr. Esmonde: What annoys me is the $2 fee added to my National Fuel bill each month for processing the invoice. ... Charging us in order to charge us. When I inquired about it, National Fuel’s answer was simply, “New York State says we can.” — W. B., Kenmore.

Dear W. B. — Our fee-happy state approves the practice of customer-gouging by our fee-happy public utility. It brings to mind the expression, “As thick as thieves.”

Mr. Esmonde: I worked several double-shifts this week and lost track of alternate side of the street parking. The ticket is for $30. It seems that my parking is a more pressing matter [to the city] than removing the hookers from the corners of Grant Street ... [or] the people on my sidewalk smoking marijuana and drinking. — C. D., Buffalo.

Dear C. D. — You forget the two magic words at City Hall: revenue stream. Besides, the city needs the alternate-side parking so plows can get through. Oh, I forgot, it’s June!

Mr. Esmonde: I have a Verizon land line. My calls rarely exceed $2. My bill is usually $37! Charges include federal tax (76 cents), NYS/Local tax ($2.89), 911 surcharge (35 cents), USF surcharge (98 cents), FCC charge ($6.41) and $15.80 for DIAL TONE! I would cancel that, but then how would I know my phone is working? — SMB, Cheektowaga.

Dear SMB — If it’s any consolation, a dial tone is preferable to some of the phone conversations I’ve had.

Mr. Esmonde: I drove to Florida recently and noticed that most states do not require front license plates. New York could save some money by cutting these out. — C. R.

Dear C. R. — Great idea, but you must be new around here. The whole idea in New York is to gouge taxpayers, not to save money!