Death and taxes are referenced in a famous quotation. It’s been around for centuries. Know who wrote it? Or when?
It was Benjamin Franklin. In 1789. He was referring to the new Constitution and wrote, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
The history of taxation in the United State begins with the colonial protest against British taxation policy in the 1760s, which led to the American Revolution.
The independent nation collected tariffs on whiskey. States and localities collected poll taxes on voters and property taxes on land and commercial buildings. State and federal inheritance taxes began after 1900. States began collecting sales taxes in the 1930s.
The United States imposed income taxes briefly during the Civil War and the 1890s. In 1913, the 16th Amendment was ratified. It permanently legalized an income tax.
And today we all look for deductions!