The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-06-20
From the Raleigh Standard.
THE TT. S. TAX LAW.

much interest to us all, and one upon which
most of our citizens have had very little chance
of Informing themselves; hence we publish some
of its most important provisions, that people
may know what they viii have to pay, and what
they will not have to pay, that they may not
hereafter be annoyed by unnecessary apprehen-
sion.
"There shall be paid annually upon the annu-
al gains, profits, and income of every person re-
siding in the United States, whether derived
from any kind of property; rents, interests, dvi-
dends or salaries, or from any profession, trade,
EN- ployment or vocation carried on in the Uni
ted States, or elsewhere, or from any other
source whatever, duty of five per centum on
the excess over six hundred dollars and not ex-
ceeding five thousand dollars, and duty of ten
per centum on the excess over Ave thousand
dollars" And the duty herein provided for
shall be assessed, collected, and paid upon the
gains, profits and income for the year ending
the 3lst of December, next preceding the time
for levying, collecting and paying said duty"
This is the most important clause of the law;
the one of general application for the execution
of which it is provided, ''That it shall be the
duty of all persons of lawful age to make and
render list in such manner as may be prescrl-
bed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
of the amount of their income, gains or profits
as aforesaid" under oath.
No farmer, manufacturer, mechanic or other
person will pay any tax at all, on his income,
unless it amounts to six hundred dollars, after
deducting the necessary expenses for carrying
on his business. In addition to this he is allow
ed to deduct his house rent and all taxes he pays
to the general Government, to the State, Coun-
ty and town from his necessary expenses, and
he pays no income tax at ALL unless his income
amounts to more than six hundred dollars after
these deductions are made
In the event that a man is unable to pay his
taxes and his property has to be taken by the
government agents and sold for that purpose,
the law reserves to him the following articles,
of which he cannot be dispossessed even for his
taxes: 'The tools or implements of his trade or
profession, one COW, arms and provisions, house
hold furniture kept for use, school books and
apparel necessary for family"
In addition to this there are many specified
taxes, only few of which are of general interest
enough to our citizens to be noticed in short
article like this
Merchants who sell over twenty-five thousand
dollars pay fifty dollars tax-those who sell
over one thousand and under twenty five, pay
ten dollars tax, and those selling under one
thousand are not taxed.
The tax on liquors may be summed up as
follows: Distillers making over three hundred
barrels, pay license of. fifty dollars; making
less than three hundred, pay twenty-five dollars;
those making less than one hundred aud fifty
barrels of apple or peach brandy, pay twelve
dollars and fifty cents: In addition to this, a
of whisky and tax of a dollar and fifty cents on
every gallon of brandy, and every retailer of
of liquors must pay twenty -6ve dollars tax.
Lawyers, physicians and dentists pay ten dol
lars tax each. Auctioneers from ten 10 twenty,
according to sales, and one-fourth of one per
cent on amount of sales. Cotton pays two cents
| u pound; manufactured tobacco forty cents a
pound; snuff forty cents pound, and cigars
ten dollars per thousand. Carriages and gold
watches from one to two dollars each, according
to value; pianos pay from two to four dollars,
according to quality.
All railroads and stage routes pay tax Of
two and half per cent. on the gross amount of
their receipts, and ferries pay three per cent
All manufacturers of cotton or wool pay Ii
cense of ten dollars, and tax of FIVE per cent
on the value of goods they make.
For the purpose of executing this law North
Carolina has been divided into three districts.
and an assessor and collector will be appointed
for each district.
Each assessor will appoint as many assistants
as he needs; he and each assistapt must be q
resident Of the district where he performs his
duties. They have to visit every man and take
list of bis taxables and return the same to the
| collectors. The assessors compensation is if
teen hundred dollars year and one per
cent commissions on all sums under four
hundred thousand dollars--each assistant assess.
or is allowed four dollars day aud small fees
The duty Of the collectors is to receive the
list from the assessors collect the taxes and pay
the money to the government. He can appoint
as many deputies as he needs Cor the due execu
| ton OF his Office, each one of whom, as we'll as
rnrrsf hao &C. II l. = 4