Question

1913 the sixteenth amendment which legalized a federal income tax was ratified why was there a need for a federal income tax

Answer 1

Answer: D) to replace the revenue loss from tariffs

Explanation: There was a need for a federal income tax to replace the revenue loss from tariffs. Under President Wilson's administration, Congress substantially reduced taxes on imports and thus a new federal government revenue source was needed.

Answer 2

The need for the federal income tax actually dates back further than 1913, to the period just after the start of Civil War. At that time, the government levied a tax in order to help pay war expenses, and that tax became part of the government's operational foundation going forward. A number of various tax schemes were put in place and eventually declared unconstitutional, motivating the need for an amendment which was eventually put forth in 1913.