Excise Tax

• Author: Edward L. Barrett
• Pages: 936

Page 936

In its original meaning an excise was a tax on goods manufactured or produced within the taxing country, as opposed to a duty or IMPOST on imports. Undoubtedly, this was the sense in which it was used in the constitutional grant of power to Congress to collect "taxes, duties, imposts and excises." In modern times an excise tax is any tax imposed on the manufacture or sale of a commodity, engaging in an occupation, or enjoying any other privilege. It is distinguished from a direct tax, such as a POLL TAX or an ad valorem property tax.

EDWARD L. BARRETT, JR.

(1986)

(SEE ALSO: Direct and Indirect Taxes; State Taxation of Commerce.)