History of Income Tax In India 1. In India, this tax was introduced for the first time in 1860, by Sir James Wilson in order to meet the losses sustained by the Government on account of the military Mutiny of 1857. 2. In 1886, a separate Income Tax Act was passed. This act remained in force up to 1917, with various amendments from time to time. 3. In 1918, a new Income Tax Act was passed again it was replaced by another new Act which was passed in 1922. This Act remained in force up to the assessment year 1961-62 with numerous amendments. 4. The income Tax Act was 1922 had become very complicated on account of innumerable amendments. The Government of India, Therefore, referred it to the Law Commission in 1956 with a view to simplify and for the prevention of tax evasion. The Law Commission submitted its report in September 1958, but in the meantime the Government of India ...