Which constitutional amendment granted the income tax?

The 16th Amendment to the United States Constitution is what granted Congress the power 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 was significant because it provided the federal government with a new source of revenue that was less dependent on tariffs and excise taxes. This shift allowed for more flexible and broader fiscal policies in response to the expanding needs of the nation.

The amendment was crucial in enabling the government to fund critical services and infrastructure, especially during times of economic change, such as the Industrial Revolution and later during the Great Depression. Income tax became a fundamental aspect of the federal government's ability to operate and address various social and economic challenges. Overall, the 16th Amendment established a system that impacted the social and political landscape of the United States significantly, making it a cornerstone of modern American fiscal policy.