The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-08-24
INCOMES RI TAXED
VARIOUS COUNTRIES WHERE THE
SYSTEM Is NOW IN OPERATION.
Is Is n Species of Inquisition Every
where Objected REPRESENTATIVES of
the Taxation i'm other Lands.

iii " n ACROANCA toNNAaNS
which throw unpleasant sight-lights on that
form of taxation.
I'm England he said, foreign residents
are but seldom bothered about their in
come, as well as other matters of their per-
sonal concern. If they become actual resi-
dents, they are, of course, expected to help
maintain the royal family and the govern
ment generally; but "A foreigner. living
quietly and showing no disposition to
make a splurge in society, usually sue
ceeds in Guiding the tax commission with
out any effort on his part. OF course, an
honest man, or woman either, will walk Up
TO the authorities and blame them for not
levying on his or her goods and chattels:
that's the right thing TO do. and the Con-
science Fund of which we read occasional
ly in the London newspapers, is very proud
of such deeds of valor. But, strange to say,
L have never discovered an American in
the act.
The average Britisher, though taxation
in the English empire is now limited 10
very few articles, is the sworn enemy OF
the income tax and his representatives in
Parliament nave aided him SO far success
fully in voting down every inquisitorial
measure proposed by the government. He
does not want to be spied upon, he says,
and does not care to have "a government
bum' estimate the number Of drinks he
takes. That sounds all right, does it not,
but leaves the avenues for concedlment
and classification in the returns wide open.
In the case of a house owner, or regular
house holder it is quite a different mat
ter. The government may. put its heavy
hand on tangible assets and keep it there,
until the last farthing is paid. On the
other hand knew people in London who
were in the habit OF moving a dozen or
more times every year simply to mislead
and mystify the tax collectors, who usual
ly follow up delinquents with the aid of
the postoffice by registered letter.
Last winter the treasury had a scrap
with the actors, actresses and music nall
artists, who boast of enormous salaries,
but are in the habit of declaring a mimi
mum income. The parties tripped up were
exceedingly loud in proclaimlng the action
of the treasury an insult TO British sub
jects and called upon their employers to
swear that their salaries existed mainly
in the salaried persons imagination. OF
course, where conclusive proofs were OF
fered that the figures of the tax dec.ara-
ton was accepted. In ali other cases the
artists had to pay in conformity with the
figures boasttully quoted by them.
NOT A HEAVY ASSESSMENT.
'Inasmuch as the police in Sweden and
Norway take no official notice Of foreigners
visiting the two countries. one may live
there quite a considerable time tax free.
If finally one does get caught, the assess
ment is not calculated to drive him away,
and a mans word, as to his actual income,
is accepted without the shadow of mlstrust.
The tax is not heavy, for natives and for
eigners alike, and as in England incomes
just efficient for a decent and comfortable
maintenance are exempted.
I'm the Netherlands the income tax is
still a novelty; it was introduced about a
year and a half ago, and the authorities,
DESTROYS of proving It's necessity, are work
ing hard to make the measure as obnoxious
as possible. Belgium levies no income tax,
though with its enormous population, IL
would undoubtedly pay handsomely there.
To become acquainted with all the annoy
ances and troubles the income tax measure
is capable of INJECTING upon humanity. one
must go to live in Germany, Berlin for in
stance.
Some two years ago / met Mark Twain
and his family at the Hotel DeRome, in the
German capital, whom L had found installed
in a fat a few days previous.
Have you given up housekeeping al
ready? l asked.
Had to- said Mr.. Clemens with a sad
smile. The police and tax commissioners
drove me out of house and home. | made
the customary declaration as to my income,
and a few hours later was visited by a
brass-buttoned gentleman, who declared
that L was wofully wrong in my calcula-
tons. He produced a newspaper clipping,
saying L received in the neighborhood OF
l,lUU IldlhS CNClN lAHC l. NlONC q AAAiO, o-i~
that my regular income from my books
was about as large as the revenue OF the
Kaiser himself. No use denying the fact.
He had them glued into his head, and
whenever / opened my mouth he proved
afterward conclusively that | was a liar.
So | gave up the idea of becoming a res
dent, and again went to the hotel to live,
wnere they can tax NE only in accordance
with the income l actually spend for rooms
and board and incidentals.'
Natives, as a general thing, are not 50
badly punished by the income tax as for
eigners in Germany. Incomes below $500
per year are taxed only TO the extent OF
| two-thirds per cent. If one boasts of $3.50
per year he is taxed $40 on that amount.
An income of $1,000 to 81, 200 pays $3.50
taxes. Persons earning less than sos per
year are exempted, and Prussia alone has
100000 men of that description.
MISTAKES SEVERELY PUNISHED.
.'The form of declaration required by the
government reads like a pirate letter. and
one he's to be mighty careful in filling i:
out, for mistakes are very severely pun
ished. For instance. you might say the
bonds you possess bring in a revenue of
$500 per year, and the government, requir-
ing a list of the bonds. finds the actual in
come from them to be S5O0. 1t Is then at
once assured that you mean to cheat his
Majesty. and you are made to pay ten
times the amount of income tax actually
due the State for that year.
"A friend of mine, a New Yorker, living
in Berlin. whose income was of a some
| what DrecafiCuS nature, declared TX 10 be
100 marks or SO d month. His letter came
back after a few days for correction
You pay 80 marks per week for rent
alone wrote the commissioner; 'conse-
Quentiy you must spend at least twice that
amount for board. That would leave only
d very narrow margin for drink, clothing,
smoking and incidentals.' The American
aud the commissioner finally agreed upon
200 marks OF taxable income on condition
that the matter be not further pressed.
1.-THE municipal taxes are gagged accord
ing TO the State income tax. and city bal
lifts usually aid the government officials
in spying out all sorts of unknown re-
sources. supposed to be at ones disposal.
Thus | was once asked, when under ex-
animation as TO my fortune: How much
does your property in Cologne yield per
annum?
II never owned a house or a foot of
THE tax collector. with an air of sur
prise: You do not? We are credibly in
formed that you have a house there thst
rents for l,500 marks per year. Or perhaps
| am mistaken in the city. Let me see, L
may be that your property is situated in
Breslau or Konigsberg.'
"Of course the fellow was trying to catch
me, but as | had nothing TO conceal from
him his trickery awaited him naught.
An American waiter employed in a Ber-
lin Hotel told me that he has TO keep books
over the amount of tips taken in by him.
Not only his salary, but his douceurs. too,
must be accounted for 10 the tax commits
sioners. 1t has lately been decided that
servant girls must do likewise.
They are making us a nation of liars
and f~alsifiers of public documents with
their income tax declarations said a we'll
known Beriiner to me. speaking on the sub
ject.
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