When Did Taxes Start?

Grain, one of the first taxed products.
Image Credit: David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images

When did taxes start? A long time ago. Taxes have been around most likely for as long as there have been civilizations.

Advertisement

The leaders of early cultures took goods, food, animals or labor from citizens to help pay for community improvements or the personal wealth of a local or regional ruler. Fast forward to the United States during its Civil War and the country (which overthrew its British rulers over the cause of high taxes) instituted its first income tax.

Video of the Day

Advertisement

Video of the Day

Today, federal tax rates can change with an election that gives a different party control of the U.S. House and/Senate, while state and local taxes change as residents or their legislatures see fit.

Read More:E-Filing: How to File Your Taxes Electronically, IRS Free File & More

Advertisement

Before Income Taxes

Governments often funded their activities and the country's operations (such as law enforcement, infrastructure and militaries) through tariffs and excise taxes. This meant businesses importing goods into the country had to pay fees (which were passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices) and citizens paid taxes on the goods they purchased (also known as a consumption tax).

Advertisement

While tariffs still remain today in the U.S., they aren't the primary funding source of the government and are often set to help U.S. companies remain more competitive.

Read More:Who Must File Income Taxes?

Advertisement

Advertisement

America’s First Income Taxes

During the American Civil War, Congress passed a 3 percent ​tax on incomes greater than ​$800​ per year. The tax was later modified to a graduating tax rate, but was eliminated in 1872. In 1894, Congress passed a ​2 percent​ tax on incomes larger than ​$4,000​, but the tax was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Advertisement

Read More:Where's My Tax Refund: An Easy Guide

The 16th Amendment

In 1913, the U.S. government passed the 16th Amendment, which gave Congress the right to set and collect federal income tax. The U.S. government has collected income tax continually since. Congress sets different rates for individuals and business, but provides tax exemptions and deductions, some of which are called "loopholes" because they help some businesses reduce their taxes to nothing.

Advertisement

For example, in 2020, 55 profitable Fortune 500 corporations paid zero income tax, reports the Institute on Taxation Policy and Economic Policy. These companies did pay payroll and sales taxes, however.

Advertisement

Federal taxes can change with different administrations. For example, during the Trump administration, Congress passed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, which reduced the corporate tax rate, eliminated the deduction for unreimbursed business expenses for employees and altered the tax code in other ways.

Advertisement

States and Taxes

Some states impose an income tax on residents and corporations headquartered in the state, along with fuel, cigarette, inheritance, sales and other taxes, explains the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Other states impose no income tax, but charge higher sales taxes and provide fewer social services. In states with no income tax, counties and municipalities often have higher property and sales taxes to make up for not getting funding from the state.

Advertisement

Local Tax Collecting

Counties and municipalities (i.e. towns, cities, villages) are able to set and collect taxes. These can include sales, tourism, real estate transfer, property, vehicle registrations and land taxes, among others. They can also sell bonds, which are not taxes, but which must be paid back by the issuing governing body with interest paid to purchasers.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Report an Issue

screenshot of the current page

Screenshot loading...