Revenue Act of 1935

The Revenue Act of 1935, 49 Stat. 1014 (August 30, 1935), raised federal income tax on higher income levels by introducing the "Wealth Tax".[1] It was a progressive tax that took up to 75 percent of the highest incomes (over $1 million per year).[2] However, during the same period, Congress also passed the Social Security Act of 1935, which introduced payroll taxes that are often characterized as regressive.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the act into law despite significant opposition from business interests, wealthy individuals, and fiscal conservatives across the political spectrum. At the time, the legislation was popularly referred to as the "Soak the Rich" tax due to its focus on high-incomes.[3] To solve the problem of tax evasion through loopholes, the Revenue Act of 1937 revised tax laws and regulations to increase the efficacy of the tax.[2]

Predicted revenue increase

Congress estimated that annual revenue would be increased by approximately $250 million when the new law took effect.[4]

Predicted annual revenue increase (in millions)

  • $45 Surtax on Rich
  • $80 Estate tax on rich
  • $21 Gift tax on rich
  • $37 Corporation taxes
  • $44 capital stock tax
  • $10 excess profits tax
  • $20 intercompany dividends
  • –$15 Corporation charitable deductions
  • $250 total tax increase

Tax on Individuals

A Normal Tax and a Surtax were levied against the net income of individuals as shown in the following table.

Revenue Act of 1935
Normal Tax and Surtax on Individuals

49 Stat. 1014 [5]

Net Income
(dollars) 		Normal Rate
(percent) 		Surtax Rate
(percent) 		Combined Rate
(percent)
0 4 0 4
4,000 4 4 8
6,000 4 5 9
8,000 4 6 10
10,000 4 7 11
12,000 4 8 12
14,000 4 9 13
16,000 4 11 15
18,000 4 13 17
20,000 4 15 19
22,000 4 17 21
26,000 4 19 23
32,000 4 21 25
38,000 4 24 28
44,000 4 27 31
50,000 4 31 35
56,000 4 35 39
62,000 4 39 43
68,000 4 44 47
74,000 4 47 51
80,000 4 51 55
90,000 4 55 59
100,000 4 58 62
150,000 4 60 64
200,000 4 62 66
250,000 4 64 68
300,000 4 66 70
400,000 4 68 70
500,000 4 70 74
750,000 4 72 76
1,000,000 4 73 77
2,000,000 4 74 78
5,000,000 4 75 79
  • Exemption of $1,000 for single filers and $2,500 for married couples and heads of family. A $400 exemption for each dependent under 18.

Evaluations

Liberal historian Paul Conkin concluded that the 1935 tax law in which the graduated rates were first imposed on corporations, "neither soaked the rich, penalized bigness, nor significantly helped balance the budget."[6] Nevertheless, angry critics complained that it was like the camel's nose under the tent, creating a precedent that would soon grow rapidly in magnitude.[7]

See also

  • Revenue Act of 1936, which included a highly controversial corporate tax on undistributed profits

References

  1. ^ Roy G. Blakey, and Gladys C. Blakey. "The Revenue Act of 1935." American Economic Review (1935): 673-690. online
  2. ^ a b "Understanding Taxes Student Site". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved December 31, 2012. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs forced an increase in taxes to generate needed funds. The Revenue Act of 1935 introduced the Wealth Tax, a new progressive tax that took up to 75 percent of the highest incomes. Many wealthy people used loopholes in the tax code. The Revenue Act of 1937 cracked down on tax evasion by revising tax laws and regulations.
  3. ^ Henretta, James; David Brody; Lynn Dumenil; Susan Ware (2004). America's History - Volume 2: Since 1865. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's. p. 729. ISBN 0-312-40958-3.
  4. ^ Blakey and Blakey, p 676
  5. ^ Facsimile from Statutes at Large
  6. ^ Paul Conkin, The New Deal (1975) p. 63.
  7. ^ Naomi R. Lamoreaux; William J. Novak (2017). Corporations and American Democracy. Harvard UP. p. 192. ISBN 9780674977716.

Further reading

  • Bank, Steven A. "Taxing Bigness." Tax Law Review 66 (2012): 379+. Focused largely on 1935 law; online
  • Blakey, Roy G., and Gladys C. Blakey. "The Revenue Act of 1935." American Economic Review (1935): 673–690. online
  • Lutz, Harley L. "The Federal Revenue Act of 1935." American Economic Review 26.1 (1936): 161–173. online

External Resources

Text of Revenue Act of 1937


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