when did income tax in the us start
History of taxation in the United States The history of income taxation in the United States began in the 19th century with the imposition of income taxes to fund war efforts. However, the constitutionality of income taxation was widely held in doubt [Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Company, 157 U.S. 429 (1895)] "[11] until 1913 with the ratification of the 16th Amendment.