Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1861-08-29
From Forpev,s Press.
DIRECT TAXES.

This is a subject of interest to every
one in the community, and the provi-
sions of the late act of Congress on
the subject do not appear to be well
known, that act having undergone
MANY alterations during IFS progress
through the National Legislature
The propriety of paying in current re-
ceipts is undoubted, and the obligation
of this tax will meet ready acquies-
cence.
The act of Congress, rassed August
5, 1861, is entitled can act to provide
increased revenue from imports, to pay
interest on the public debt. and for
other purposes" Its first seven Sec
tions make alterations in the tariff,
which are generally understood. Its
other sections relate to the leVying and
collection of tazes. There are two
kinds of taxes directed by this law
lst. A direct tax. Cd. An income
tax. The direct tax is to produce to
Government the sum OF twenty million
dollars annually; this sum is apportion-
ed among the States and Territories Of
the Union. The amount TO be paid by
the States now in revolt and rebellion
is upwards Of FIVE and half millions
{ Is, SOC, ,OOO) of dollars, and the bal
ance,of something less than S14, ,500,-
900. being payable by the loyal States
and the Territories, including the Dis
trict of Columbia. This tax is to be
levied only on "Ionds and lots of ground,
Nth their improvements and dtcelLing
houses" which are to be valued on the
Ist of April, 1862, at their actual
value on that day. The whole valua-
tion of the State being completed, the
assessors will, in State Convention, as
sign to each county its quota, or, in
other words, they will fix such a rate
of tax as will net to the Government
the two millions of dollars which is the
proportion Pennsylvania has to pay
The assessors, collectors, and other
officers necessary for the purposes Of
the act, are to be appointed by the
President; to give security, and be
under the control of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. The tax may be col
lected by distress, or, for want Of suf-
fcient personal property, by sale of the
land, with pecuniary penalties added to
the original amount. Three years are
allowed TO the owner for redemption,
by repayment to the purchaser, with
twenty per centum interest.
The income tax is to be levied upon
the annual income, whether "such in
come is derived from any kind. Of pro-
perty or from any profession. trade, en-
ployment, or vocation, carried on in
the United States or elsewhere,ior from
any other source whatever. if such an
nual income exceeds the sum of $500"
and is tax of "three per centum on
the amount of such ercess of income
above $780," Upon the income OF
.non-residents the tax is FIVE per centum;
and provided, that on al! income de-
rived from United States Treasury
notes, loans, and other securities, there
shall only be one and bali per cent
: The tax is 10 be assessed on the annual
income of the year next preceding the
TIME of assessment, to-wit: the year
next preceding the 1st Of January,
1869, and SO on annually thereafter
But, in estimating the income, all taxes
assessed upon the property from which
the income is derived are to be first de-
Quoted.
This tax is made PAYABLE on or be-
fore the 3Oth of June, 1869, after which
time it bears interest; and any State or
Territory is allowed a deduction OF fif-
teen per cent, which will pay its quota
of direct tax to the United I States,
thereby superseding any appraisement
or other proceeding under the act
Provisions are made for the legal col
lection of the income tax in like man.
ner as the direct tax. 1t will thus be
seen that the direct tax is levied only
upon lands; the income tax is levied
upon all incomes, (S8O0 being first ex-
empted to all, from whatever source,
without deduction for any expenses, ex-
cept the National, State, or local taxes
assessed on the property from which
the income is derived. There is saw
ing clause with regard to the direct tax.
Houses in the occupation of their own
ers, worth $500, property belonging to
the United States, and property ex-
empted by State laws from taxation,
are not subject to assessment for the d.
rect tax. No excise or internal duties
or taxes are imposed by the act. The
taxes which, under ordinary circum-
stances, would be collected from the
insurgent States, are to be lien, and
remain due until they are paid with in
terest, when the authority of the Fed
eral Government shall be restored.
THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.