The courts have generally held that direct taxes are restricted to taxes on people (variously called capitation, poll tax or head tax) and property. (Penn Mutual Indemnity Denver colorado. v. C.I.R., 227 F.2d 16, 19-20 (3rd Cir. 1960).) All other taxes are known as "indirect taxes," as these tax an event, rather than person or property per se. (Steward Machine Co. v. Davis, 301 U.S. 548, 581-582 (1937).) What seemed to be a straightforward limitation on the power of the legislature based on the ...

The courts have generally held that direct taxes are restricted to taxes on people (variously called capitation, poll tax or head tax) and property. (Penn Mutual Indemnity Denver colorado. v. C.I.R., 227 F.2d 16, 19-20 (3rd Cir. 1960).) All other taxes are known as "indirect taxes," as these tax an event, rather than person or property per se. (Steward Machine Co. v. Davis, 301 U.S. 548, 581-582 (1937).) What seemed to be a straightforward limitation on the power of the legislature based on the ...