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Article: Tax? Blame it on Bonaparte Income tax was first imposed during the Napoleonic wars, but to some of us it remains a mystery. Kathleen Hennessy offers a beginner's guide
- Article from:
- The Independent (London, England)
- Article date:
- November 29, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 1998 The Independent - London. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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IF YOU are looking for a pre-Christmas treat in London next month,
the Inland Revenue may be able to help. Yes, really. The
Bicentenary of Income Tax 1799-1999 opens this Friday and will show a
history of income tax, which was introduced in December 1798 to fund
the Napoleonic wars.
This article is intended as a quick introduction for people who
have never had the time or inclination to find out about tax. (If you
find something alarming, or realise you should have applied for a tax
return, call your tax office - ask your employer for the phone number
and a reference code. They are generally helpful.)
Income tax makes up about a quarter of the Government's revenue.
You have to pay it on any ...