Understanding Taxes - Activity 1: History of the Federal Income Tax

Theme 2: Taxes in U.S. HistoryLesson 3: Income Tax Issues

Activity 1: History of the Federal Income Tax

The federal income tax has not always been a part of the American tax system. Find out how the federal income tax became a law by completing the activity below.

Match the dates from the timeline to the correct event in tax history by choosing from the drop-down menu. To assess your answers, click the Check My Answers button at the bottom of the page.

The Sixteenth Amendment is ratified.
The first income tax is devised.
The first income tax is declared unconstitutional.
The income tax is repealed.
Congress proposes to make income tax part of the Constitution.