- Passed in 1765
- Placed a tax on all paper goods, including newspapers, legal documents, and playing cards
- Required the use of a stamp to indicate the tax had been paid
- The stamp had to be affixed to the paper before it could be used
Sugar Act:
- Passed in 1764
- Reduced the tax on imported molasses from 6 pence per gallon to 3 pence per gallon
- Also placed a tax on other imported goods, such as sugar, coffee, and wine
- The tax was collected at the port of entry
Differences:
- The Stamp Act placed a tax on all paper goods, while the Sugar Act only taxed certain imported goods.
- The Stamp Act required the use of a stamp to indicate the tax had been paid, while the Sugar Act did not have this requirement.
- The Stamp Act was more unpopular with the colonists than the Sugar Act, as the stamps were seen as a symbol of British oppression.