
August 13, 1913: The First Modern Tax Return
On this day in 1913, following the ratification of the 16th Amendment, the first modern U.S. federal income tax form (Form 1040) was created. This one-page document, vastly simpler than today's version, marked the beginning of standardized tax filing procedures that would eventually evolve into the complex tax system sole proprietors navigate today.
The original tax affected only about 1% of the population, with rates ranging from 1% to 7%, a stark contrast to today's comprehensive tax structure.