American Government CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which branch of government has the power to levy taxes in the United States?

1. Executive branch.

2. Legislative branch.

3. Judicial branch.

4. State governments.

The correct answer is: Legislative branch.

The legislative branch, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, has the power to levy taxes in the United States. This is because the Constitution grants Congress the power to "lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises" in order to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the country. The executive branch, led by the President, is responsible for enforcing tax laws and overseeing the collection of taxes, but does not have the power to actually levy taxes. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets and applies laws and does not have the authority to create or collect taxes. State governments have the power to levy taxes within their own states, but they do not have the authority to impose taxes on the entire country. Therefore, the correct answer is the legislative branch as the other options do not have the constitutional power to levy taxes in the United