The federal income tax law, otherwise known as the 16th amendment, allowed the Congress to create a federal income tax. This would allow Congress to create the tax at a rate that doesn't pertain to census figures or other state related issues. The amendment was passed on February 3, 1913 when the State of Delaware passed the amendment, being the 36th state to do so. Following Delaware's ratification 6 other states ratified the amendment, bringing the total to 42 states ratified. Three states rejected the amendment and three more simply did not act on it.