Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1883-04-23
THE REBATE IN TOBACCO AND CIGARS

For MAY IIrDt.

mans O0oe-sAotsanx Ready
For May 1lrsr.
The act of Congress recently passed pro
viding for a reduction of the tax on manu-
factured tobacco, cigars, snuff and cigar
cites, and also for a rebate of taxes paid
prior to the first of May, 1883, (at which
time the law goes into OperatiOn,) has
added q vast amount of labor to the col
lectors Of internal revenue, their deputies
and clerks, in districts like this, whore the
tobacco interests are of such commanding
Importance. First, it was necessary to
mako thorough canvass, and ascertain the
names and number of persons engaged in
the several branches of the tobacco busi.
ness, whether as manufacturers or dealers,
to ascertain their condition severally aud
to see that the laws are being compiled
with. The work has been thoroughly done
by Collector Kaufman and his assistants.
Next it became his business to mail blank
forms to the different tobacco dealers, on
which they are to make return to him of
the amount Of rebate they claim under the
new law. The law provides that they shall
be reimbursed for taxes paid prior to May
l, 1888, on all manufactured tobacco,
cigars, cigarettes and snuff they may
have on hand at that date pro-
vided that no rebate shall bo allowed
unless the claim for the same
shall amount to $40 or over. Under the
old law the tax on cigars was s6 per
thousand on tobacco and snuff. 16 cents
per pound, and on cigarettes $1.75 per
thousand. Under the new law the tax
will be On cigars, So per thousand on
manufactured tobacco and snuff, cents
per pound, and on cigarettes so cents per
thousand. The blanks now being sent
out by Collector Kaufman were prepared
by the revenue department at Washing
ton, and it will require about 900 of
them TO supply tho dealers of this district.
They call for the most minute details of
all tobacco, snuff, cigars and cigarettes
held in original and unbroken stamped
factory packages. The weight of package.
total weight in pounds and fractions Of
pounds, serial number Of stamps, total
weight, total number of cigars and
cigarettes, total amount of rebate. The
instructions on the circular arc full and
complete. Among some of them are the
following Claims for rebate cannot be
transferred or assigned. Such assignments
are prohibited by section 3,497, United
States Revised Statutes. All claims must
be made by the owner of the goods, Or in
the owners name by his factor, commits
sion merchant or other agent. Claims of
manufacturers will be paid in stamps when
so requested in the claim, after the same
shall have been examined and approved
by the United States treasury department
at Washington. Claims of dealers will
not be paid in stamps.
Accompanying the blanks being sent out
to manufacturers and dealers are labels to
be placed by them on each stamped pack
age on which rebate is claimed except
that packages less than one pound in
weight, which have been taken from the
boxes in which they were shipped, and
exposed for sale in show cases or on
shelves, need not be labeled. Where such
packages remain in the boxes the label
should be affixed to the box. No less than
800, 900 of these labels have been or will be
sent out with the blanks. Claimants are
advised to be particularly careful to pur-
chase their special tax stamps for the CON-
ing year before tho first day of May, so
that there may be no question as to their
rights under this act, as dealers and man.
ufacturers. Collector Kaufman informs
us that his Office will be opened at mid
night for the sale of stamps at the reduced
rates, for the accommodation of those who
may wish to settle up their business under
the old law, on April 30. and commence
under the new law on the 1st of May.
Examination of Revenuo. Agents.
Col. T.. ]. Grimeson, internal revenue
agent, was in Lancaster on Friday and
examined the division revenue agents of
this district as to their knowledge of the
revenue laws and their official duties under
them. We learn that the deputies passed
the examination very creditably, and that
at the department in Washington the
Ninth district is held to be one of the very
best managed in the state.
Important to Observe.
All applicants for internal revenue Ii
censes Especial taxed) must personally
sign and be sworn Or affirmed to their ap-
plications or returns, before deputy col
lector, justice of the peace or notary public
before the " license" can be issued. If the
applicant appears at the Office in person,
he can be sworn there if he sends the
application in by another person it must
be first signed and sworn or affirmed to.
This applies to those who held licenses
last year as we'll as to new dealers.