Value-added taxation: The roots run deep into colonial and early America

This article indicates that even the most recent forms of taxation find their roots firmly planted in Colonial America. The author shows that the concepts: ad valorem, transaction basis, indirect levy, multi-step collection, and taxation of net product were present during this early period. Through the use of these con-cepts the historical justifications for the income and sales tax system are provided and indicate a trend toward combining these concepts into one tax. The value-added tax is such a tax. The author concludes that adoption of this tax would complete a trend in American taxation which "took root" in colonial times.