1913 Zack Wheat Signed Federal Income Tax Form - The First Federal Income Tax Form Ever Issued!

Sold For:

$2,280

Year:

1913

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

1820

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat’s 1913 federal tax return, signed “Zack D. Wheat” in black fountain pen (grading “10”) on Page 3. What makes this a unique piece is that 1913 was the first year United States citizens had to pay a federal income tax. As such, this is the first 1040 tax form ever issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Not surprisingly, the four-page fold-over form is much simpler than today’s form. It is also interesting to note that taxpayers had less time to file in 1913 than they do today, with this form being due by March 1st. Wheat, who was firmly established as one of the game’s top players in 1913 with the Brooklyn Superbas, listed his gross income as $3,250, which we can only assume represented his full salary with Brooklyn that year. (We have since learned that this tax form only lists Wheat's income from March 1st  through December 31st of the previous year because March 1st is the date that federal income tax became law. If we prorate the amount listed, Wheat would have made $3,900 in 1912.) The form (8 x 10.5 inches) displays two horizontal folds and a few light creases. In Excellent condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).