Planet Money

Planet Money

The Carriage Tax (Update)

June 26, 202419 min

0:0018:46

About this episode

(Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2019.)In 1794, George Washington decided to raise money for the federal government by taxing the rich. He did it by putting a tax on horse-drawn carriages.The carriage tax could be considered the first federal wealth tax of the United States. It led to a huge fight over the power to tax in the U.S. Constitution, a fight that continues today.Listen back to our 2019 episode: "Could A Wealth Tax Work?"Listen to The Indicator's 2023 episode: "Could

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Planet Money

Wanna see a trick? Give us any topic and we can tie it back to the economy. At Planet Money, we explore the forces that shape our lives and bring you along for the ride.

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