A Program of Research Basic to State Income Tax Legislation as It Affects Agriculture

Abstract

All state income tax legislation affects agriculture. Such legislation provides for the public collection and the public expenditure of a fund from a levy on incomes. Agriculture, therefore, must be affected either by the collection or by the expenditure of this fund. The amount involved may be large or small; the effects entailed may be direct or roundabout; but the farmer pays or receives, or both. It follows that since any contribution to the provisions of a state income tax law would affect agriculture, all possible contributions are relevant for discussion here. Nevertheless, certain aspects of income tax legislation, though not limited in their effects to agriculture, are of marked significance to that industry. It is proposed to indicate these aspects as subjects for a program of research.