Abstract
Revenue law is entirely a creature of statute. The maxim that there is "no equity in tax" is embodied in the Bill of Rights 1689 which provided for "no taxation without legislation." This principle was of major political importance in 1689 because prior to the English Civil War 1642-49, Charles I had attempted to raise funds without the aid of Parliament, by inter alia, levying a window tax' and imposing the payment of ship money nationwide. The authors of the Bill of Rights were keen to ensure that the monarch would be unable to exercise such absolute power in the future. This was achieved by the recognition of the supremacy and sovereignty of Parliament in such, and other, matters.
Recommended Citation
Preston, Nicola
(1990)
"The Interpretation of Taxing Statutes: The English Perspective,"
Akron Tax Journal: Vol. 7
, Article 2.
Available at:
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/akrontaxjournal/vol7/iss1/2