April 15 is the annual deadline for filing income taxes. Americans
have had to do that uniformly since the ratification of the 16th
Amendment in 1913. But during the revolutionary era of
American history, colonists complained about being taxed by
Britain without consent and representation. George Washington
eloquently captured the frustration of Americans on the tax issue
in the observation below:
“…I think the Parliament of Great Britain hath no more right to
put their hands into my pocket, without my consent, that I have
to put my hands into yours for money; and this being already
urged to them in a firm, but decent manner, by all the colonies,
what reason is there to expect any thing from their justice?”
Source: Letter to Bryan Fairfax, July 20, 1774
Posted by: Dr. Samuel B. Hoff, Delaware State University
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