Land Tax

Land Tax

Land Tax was a yearly tax on real estate (and originally also on salaries and movable estate), first introduced by An Act for a grant to their Majesties of an aid of twelve pence in the pound for one year, for the necessary defence of their realms [1688]. From 1771 the tax was normally levied at 4 shillings in the pound, ie 20%. In 1798, with the passing of An Act for making perpetual, subject to Redemption and Purchase in the Manner therein stated, the several Sums of Money now charged in Great Britain as a Land Tax for One Year, from the Twenty-fifth Day of March One Thousand seven hundred and ninety eight, landowners were allowed to buy themselves out of the liability by a lump sum of 15 years purchase: as a result, the records for 1798, almost complete, are held at the Public Record Office in Kew IR23 and IR24.


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