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The Subsidy (‘relief’) of 19 February 1558

Parliament opened on 20 January 1558, and on 19 February the commons granted a subsidy, to be collected in one payment.  They also granted a fifteenth and tenth.  Minimum thresholds of liability for the taxation of both moveable goods and lands were the same for both native-born taxpayers and aliens, but aliens paid double; that is, all natives with goods worth £5 or more were taxed on moveable goods at 2s.8d. per pound, and aliens at 5s.4d. per pound.  All aliens with less than £5 in goods, however, paid a poll tax of 8d. per head.  On income from lands, the threshold of liability was 20s. per annum, on which natives paid 4s. per pound and aliens paid 8s. per pound.  Assessments were to be made by 20 April 1558 and certified at the Exchequer by 31 May 1558.  Payment was due by 24 June 1558. 

Source: TNA E179 database.