What taxes are forbidden in Article 1 Section 9?

Asked by: Prof. Kenna Wisoky  |  Last update: February 28, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (40 votes)

Article I, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution forbids Congress from imposing export taxes or duties on goods leaving any state, and requires that any direct taxes (like capitation taxes) must be apportioned among states by population. It also prohibits retroactive taxes (ex post facto) that would punish for past acts, and bars states from taxing imports/exports without Congressional consent.

What does article 1 section 9 prohibit?

Article I, Section 9 specifically prohibits Congress from legislating in certain areas. In the first clause, the Constitution bars Congress from banning the importation of slaves before 1808. In the second and third clauses, the Constitution specifically guarantees rights to those accused of crimes.

What are the denied powers of Article 1 Section 9?

Section 9 Powers Denied Congress

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

What are the three limitations in section 9?

In Section 9, there are three limitations on the power of Congress to deny people rights. What are those three limitations? The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended; no bills of attainder passed; no ex post facto laws passed.

Does the US Constitution forbid export taxes?

Export Taxes, Charges & Levies

The U.S. Constitution (Article 1, Section 9) prohibits export taxes.

Constitution Line by Line: Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4- Direct Taxes

44 related questions found

What does article 1 section 9 say about export duties?

No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State. No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.

Does the Constitution forbid income tax?

The law: The Sixteenth Amendment provides that Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes on income, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, and without regard to any census or enumeration.

What does Article 1 Section 9 Clause 7 mean?

Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 of the United States Constitution states: No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.

What does Article 1 Section 9 Clause 8 mean?

No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.

What are the key points of section 9?

Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution details powers denied to Congress, including suspending habeas corpus (except in rebellion/invasion), passing bills of attainder or ex post facto laws, taxing exports, granting titles of nobility, favoring ports, and drawing money from the Treasury without appropriation; it also addressed the slave trade until 1808 and protected against foreign emoluments for officials. 

When has article 9 been violated?

One of the most infamous examples of violations of Article 9 occurred during World War II, when the Nazi regime in Germany implemented a policy of arbitrary arrests and detention of individuals deemed to be enemies of the state.

What is Article 9 in simple words?

Article 9, Constitution of India 1950

No person shall be a citizen of India by virtue of article 5, or be deemed to be a citizen of India by virtue of article 6 or article 8, if he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of any foreign State.

Why is Article 1 so important?

Article I describes the design of the legislative branch of US Government -- the Congress. Important ideas include the separation of powers between branches of government (checks and balances), the election of Senators and Representatives, the process by which laws are made, and the powers that Congress has.

Did the founding fathers put God in the Constitution?

No, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention God or a supreme being in its main text, a deliberate choice by the Founding Fathers to establish a secular government and protect religious freedom, though it does contain a date reference ("Year of our Lord") and the First Amendment prevents religious tests for office, reflecting a consensus on separation of church and state despite their personal faith. 

What are denied powers?

Denied powersare those that the state or federal government are not allowed to do. This was done as another way of creating a system of limited government and making sure that the government did not abuse its power. Implied powers are those that are not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

What is Article 1 Section 9 Clause 3 simplified?

"Clause 3: No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed." Explanation: A bill of attainder is a way that a legislature acts as a judge and jury, declaring that a person or group of people are guilty of a crime and stating the punishment.

Can a president receive money from foreign countries?

Even though heads of state have traditionally exchanged gifts as expressions of goodwill, the Constitution (Article I, Section 9) prohibits anyone in the US Government from receiving a personal gift from a foreign head of state without the consent of Congress.

What are some examples of emoluments?

Emoluments are compensations recorded in Workday that occur outside the regular payroll process. These payments can be either cash or noncash. For example, noncash emoluments might include company cars or housing provided to employees, whereas cash emoluments could be gift cards paid outside the payroll system.

Which 8 powers does article 1 section 9 deny Congress?

Section 9: Powers Denied Congress

No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.

What does article one section 9 clause 2 of the Constitution State?

Article I, Section 9, Clause 2: The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.

What is the Article 1 Section 7 clause?

Section 7 Legislation

All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.

What does article 1 section 9 say about slavery?

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 1, is one of a handful of provisions in the original Constitution related to slavery, though it does not use the word “slave.” This Clause prohibited the federal government from limiting the importation of “persons” (understood at the time to mean primarily enslaved African persons) where ...

Can I legally refuse to pay federal taxes?

Yes, it is illegal to willfully not pay federal taxes, as this is considered tax evasion, a serious crime with severe penalties including large fines, interest charges, wage garnishment, liens on property, and potential prison time for tax fraud and evasion. While the U.S. tax system is sometimes called "voluntary," this refers to the self-reporting aspect, not the obligation to pay taxes, which is mandatory under the Internal Revenue Code. 

What does the 16th Amendment say about income tax?

The 16th Amendment, ratified in 1913, granted Congress the explicit power to levy an income tax on earnings from any source, without needing to apportion it among states based on population, effectively overturning a previous Supreme Court ruling and establishing the constitutional basis for the modern federal income tax system. It allows Congress to tax income "from whatever source derived," providing a broad authority for federal taxation of individuals and corporations, a system consistently upheld by courts since its adoption. 

Can you opt out of paying federal taxes?

No, you cannot legally stop paying federal taxes, as it's a legal requirement, but you can reduce your liability or manage owed taxes through legal means like adjusting withholding (W-4), setting up payment plans with the IRS, offers in compromise, or potentially bankruptcy for certain older debts. The IRS imposes significant penalties for non-payment, including fines, interest, liens, and asset levies, and considers frivolous arguments against paying to be a crime.