Thomas Jefferson Taxation Quotes & Sayings

Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous. — Thomas Jefferson

If Thomas Jefferson thought taxation without representation was bad, he should see how it is with representation. — Rush Limbaugh

Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reeactments, because a constant hold, by the nation, of the strings of the public purse is a salutary restraint from which an honest government ought not wish, nor a corrupt one to be permitted, to be free. — Thomas Jefferson

Legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property ... Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions or property in geometrical progression as they rise. Whenever there are in any country uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. — Thomas Jefferson

Taxation is, in fact, the most difficult function of government and that against which their citizens are most apt to be refractory. — Thomas Jefferson

Excessive taxation ... will carry reason & reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election. — Thomas Jefferson

Would it not be better to simplify the system of taxation rather than to spread it over such a variety of subjects and pass through so many new hands. — Thomas Jefferson

It must be observed that our revenues are raised almost wholly on imported goods. — Thomas Jefferson

I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable. But the consequences of this enormous inequality [in Europe] producing so much misery to the bulk of mankind, legislators cannot invent too many devices for subdividing property, ... [One] means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise. — Thomas Jefferson

Taxes should be proportioned to what may be annually spared by the individual. — Thomas Jefferson

The United States has already passed on as the world's economic leader. Having flouted Thomas Jefferson for too long, America has succumbed to public debt, the 'fore horse for oppression and despotism,' after which 'taxation will follow, and in its train wretchedness and oppression. — Ilana Mercer

Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions or property in geometrical progression as they rise. Whenever there are in any country uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right. The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on.
Letter to James Madison, October 28, 1785 — Thomas Jefferson

The rich alone use imported articles, and on these alone the whole taxes of the General Government are levied ... and its surplus applied to canals, roads, schools, etc., the farmer will see his government supported, his children educated, and the face of his country made a paradise by the contributions of the rich alone, without his being called on to spend a cent from his earnings. — Thomas Jefferson

The fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follow that, and in its turn wretchedness and oppression. — Thomas Jefferson