The earliest versions of the income tax were extremely modest by today’s standards, with minimal rates to reflect the laissez-faire economic attitudes of the times. Prior to the existence of programs like Social Security and Medicare, the federal government could get by on less. However, that came to an end in 1917 with America’s entrance into World War I and the passage of the War Revenue Act of 1917.
Legal Guidance Now is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice on any subject matter whatsoever. Your use of the content provided by this website is at your own risk. Due to frequent changes in the law, some information on this website may not reflect the current state of the law. We are not responsible for any errors or omissions in the content of this website or for damages that arise from your use of the content under any circumstances.
No reader of Legal Guidance Now should act on the basis of any content included in this website without seeking appropriate legal advice (in consideration of the particular facts and circumstances at issue) from an attorney who is licensed to practice law in the reader’s state.
2 thoughts on “Then and Now: The Top Tax Rates Over the Last Century”
Property taxes are illegal, because the property owner has to carry the expenses of the more numerous none property owners. Taxes should apply equally to all Americans.
It does. Cecelia, don’t you imagine that the property owners, by way of their financial advisors,are accounting for property taxes in the rents charged to their tenants? That would include commercial property, certainly. It simply makes sense to pass some of that on, since it’s a cost of doing business. Being a renter doesn’t indicate a lack of intelligence. I’m sure it’s also something your restrauranteur, jewelry store, furniture store, or other favorite place, consider when first deciding on pricing for goods and services.