Prior to this historic event however, the nation had implemented several forms of income tax before, most notably during the Civil War (Jensen 803). Congress introduced a flat tax of three percent on annual income above 800 dollars but in the following year, it was replaced with a progressive tax of three to five percent income above 600 dollars (Jensen 803). These Civil War income taxes were understood and accepted by citizens to be an emergency measure for wartime and after they expired in 1872, support for implementing an income tax as a permanent role in the government system began to rise due to its highly lucrative outcomes (Jensen …show more content…
Sent to the states for ratification in 1909, the Sixteenth Amendment was ratified in 1913, allowing for the present-day income tax to be possible today (Jensen 806). Some citizens however, have argued that not only was the Sixteenth Amendment not properly ratified, but income taxes were also illegal (“Facts & Fiction”). Although the Courts have time and time again dismissed their arguments as frivolous, they continue to contend even when having no basis and lacking any solid evidence (“Facts & Fiction”). These particular groups of individuals have fought so primarily to avoid paying taxes and as a result, increasing their pocket money (“Facts & Fiction”). Their drive is purely monetary and rarely due to a legitimate goal or belief (“Facts &