We have a winner! See the correct answer in the comments.
Our next tax trivia question for the giveaway is:
To pay for the Civil War, Congress (for the Union) passed new excise taxes in 1862 on a number of items. Which of the following did not receive a new or additional tax as part of the scheme: billiard tables, candles, chocolate, coffee, cotton, emeralds, feathers, glue, gunpowder, hemp, iron, leather, pianos, playing cards, telegrams, umbrellas, whiskey, yarn or yachts?
The first correct answer wins free free CompleteTax online tax prep software.
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What’s your guess?
Chocolate
Changed my mind, candles.
Whiskey
Hemp
Yarn
feathers!
Feathers.
Umbrellas
Candles is my guess, since it seems to have been aimed at the more affluent and I would guess that everyone needed candles in 1862.
Cotton?
Coffee
Whisky
After reading through a Philadelphia tax attorney’s 1863 guide, I could find no specific mention of feathers, pianos, or telegraphs. I’m inclined to say feathers because of the provision taxing manufactured goods, but since not one but two Richards have claimed that answer, I’ll go with telegraphs.
Book’s here if you’re interested! http://books.google.com/books?id=_yoNAAAAYAAJ&lpg=PA12&ots=L5XBduS8kF&dq=emeralds%20excise%20tax%201862&pg=PA12#v=onepage&q&f=false
I believe the answer is Yarn. After reading the statute (ch. 119, 37 Stat. 432 (1862)), the other choices are all eliminated specifically by name except for telegrams, feathers, whiskey, and pianos. Whiskey should be included under the section placing an excise tax on spirits. Feathers seem to fall under Bristles and telegrams under dispatches, both of which are also included under the enacted excises. I found no specific mention of pianos, but products made from wood and ivory are included, which suggests that pianos would likewise be taxed under the statute. The Treasury Department supports this conclusion by listing telegrams, feathers, and pianos in the summary of the statute on its website. Yarn is excluded from an excise tax under the statute as long as it has not been woven into cloth or any other material. Congratulations to Katie if I’m correct!
playing cards
candles, chocolate, coffee, cotton, emeralds, umbrellas, glue, hemp, iron & Yarn
Wow, such dedication. Katie, you’re correct – it’s yarn.
Yarn was taxed if not delivered directly for use in manufacture (see p. 240). I can’t find where feathers were taxed though.
Let’s see I don’t think they had ever heard of yachts at that time
Billiard Tables…wut?