History of Income Taxes pt 1

Date: Thursday, Septmeber 18, 2008
Time: 11 PM
Place: Kitchen

Federal income taxes haven’t always been a certainty.
In the early 20th century, people lived without being bothered
by the federal income tax — or by televisions,
microwaves, computers, voice mail, and all those other
complications. Beginning in 1913, Congress set up a
system of graduated tax rates, starting with a rate of
only 1 percent and going up to 7 percent.
This tax system was enacted through the 16th
Amendment to the Constitution, which was suggested by
President Teddy Roosevelt (a Republican), and pushed
through by his successor, President William H. Taft
(another Republican), and ultimately ratified by twothirds
of the states. (Sorry, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Bush, and Mr.
Limbaugh — not all Republicans have been anti-tax-andspend!)