It is 1902. I make $45,000 per year (i am rich). How much do i own in federal income taxes?

The answer is: You do not own anything in federal income taxes.

The first personal income tax was established in 1861 as a way to pay for the American Civil War. The tax rate was 3% on incomes above $600, rising to 5% to income about $ 10,000. This tax was repealed in 1872.

A new tax was enhanced in 1894 but it became impractical due to some problems with its apportionment. Congress was able to impose a tax only if the law apportioned that tax among the states according to each state's census population.

The federal tax was deemed impractical till the year 1913, when the 16th Amendment established new rules for paying federal income tax.