You’re correct that the 16th gave no new power to tax. They always had the power to tax income, and so they did. Bad idea in my opinion, but my opinion doesn’t matter, it’s the law.
Are you a tax protester? You certainly sound like one.
You have to define what income is because the SCOTUS has ruled, it doe snot mean “all that comes in”, it is limited to earnings form very specific activity. It is, therefore, the activity that is the subject of the tax, and the amount of tax owed which is determined by the dollars those activities produce.
“They always had the power to tax income”
Disagree. Congress always had the power to TAX, but only for that which was enumerated/authorized; else, why pass an Amendment to specify that which already existed??
Still, I’m of the mind (aside from the 13th), the 16th violates our 4th/5th Rights (w/out specifying that is supersedes - IE: repeal of Prohibition), and is thus invalid on its face. Been trying to figure how one ‘voluntarily’ gives up their 5th A. Rights when filing is ‘mandatory’...Can anyone say ‘under duress’??
Course, the Courts have never given any indication at exactly what % they ‘deem’ slavery to exist; < 100% of course. Yet another conflict that invalidate.
Lastly, EVERYONE is a ‘tax denier’; especially come April 15th. No one voluntarily sends all their $$ into the govt and says, “Do as you wish. Oh, and I could use a couple bucks back, too.”