[andrew.esselbach]

I see people posting on social media claiming that prior to 1913, people kept all of their earnings. Despite this, America still had roads, schools, a military, etc.

If I remember correctly, Lincoln imposed an income tax during the war, right? Otherwise, I believe there was no federal income tax prior to 1913.

If i’m not mistaken, the vast majority of federal revenue was derived from tarrifs and land sales prior to the introduction of the federal income tax.

What about state and local governments? When did state and local taxes begin to be enacted?

Thanks,

Andrew

[woods]

Right: apart from short-lived and unsuccessful attempts to make an income tax a permanent part of the American system, there was no federal income tax before 1913. As for state and local taxes, they’ve been there from the beginning.

[Author]

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