Which Amendment allows the federal government to collect income tax?

Which Amendment allows the federal government to collect income tax?

• A. 15th Amendment.
• B. 16th Amendment.
• C. 17th Amendment.
• D. 18th Amendment.

Answer: (B)

The 16th Amendment is the correct choice because it specifically grants Congress the authority to impose and collect income taxes without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the U.S. Census. Ratified in 1913, this amendment established a legal foundation for the federal income tax system that is still in place today. Prior amendments do not concern income tax. The 15th Amendment addresses voting rights and prohibits denying a citizen the right to vote based on race or color. The 17th Amendment pertains to the direct election of U.S. Senators, changing how Senators are chosen from state legislatures to a direct popular vote. The 18th Amendment deals with the prohibition of alcohol, marking a completely different subject matter. Thus, the 16th Amendment's focus on taxation makes it the appropriate answer in this context.

The 16th Amendment is the correct choice because it specifically grants Congress the authority to impose and collect income taxes without apportioning it among the states or basing it on the U.S. Census. Ratified in 1913, this amendment established a legal foundation for the federal income tax system that is still in place today.

Prior amendments do not concern income tax. The 15th Amendment addresses voting rights and prohibits denying a citizen the right to vote based on race or color. The 17th Amendment pertains to the direct election of U.S. Senators, changing how Senators are chosen from state legislatures to a direct popular vote. The 18th Amendment deals with the prohibition of alcohol, marking a completely different subject matter. Thus, the 16th Amendment's focus on taxation makes it the appropriate answer in this context.