The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-11-06
INCOME TAX LAW
IS NOW EFFECTIVE
WASHINGTON TREASURY OFF,
GALS RECEIVE THOUSANDS
OF INQUIRIES.
EVEN WALL STREET AT SEA
Claims Not to Know How Collections
Are to Be Made-Expresses Con-
fidence All Will Work Out
Well in End.


Washington, Nov. although mill
ions are expected to flow into the
public treasury through the opera
ton of the income tax law which now
becomes operative, much confusion
prevails throughout the country as to
how and at what sources the tax is
to be collected. Reports reached
Washington that even Wall Street
men pTofessed to be hopelessly at
sea as to the intent and scope of the
law.
While it is recognized here that
the income tax is the most revolu.
tionary power conferred in the Ameri-
can government since it's foundation,
optimists are predominant who say
that all will be working we'll in a
few weeks,
Optimlsts Are Predominant.
Although an income tax has been
agitated for many years, and it's ex-
istence was assured by an amend
ment to the constitution agreed to by
the necessary number OF states early
last spring, it's collection by a gov
eminent which has not tried it will
strain the u of the fertile
minds in the treasury department and
will be accompanied, it is not doubt
ed here, with a thousand compiled
tions not now foreseen.
Ever since President Wilson signed
the tariff bill with its income tax pro-
vision, early in the present month, the
machinery of the treasury department
has been at work upon the regulations
that are to govern the collection of
the tax. IL has been a task that has
kept Assistant Secretary Williams,
Deputy Commissioner of Internal Rev.
enue Speer and other officials con-
stantly at work and the end is not
In sight.
Many Inquiries Received.
Mr.. Williams said that the regula-
tons of the department we're not diff
ficult to understand, but in this some
other officials in the department do
not agree. Thousands OF letters and
kilograms, bringing up for settlement
points in the new law, have poured
into the department.
They have come from every con-
ceivable source and added to the labor
of making regulations. have made the
task of the experts one not to be en-
We'd.
No one In the treasury department
believes that the regulations SO far
formulated are perfect, but they will
stand until some n proves hat they
should be changed, and officials are
not inclined to believe that expert
lawyers employed by big corporations
particularly concerned with collection
eat the source" of income on bonds,
mortgages. salaries. ETC., have failed
to understand I'll 4.
Since the administration began
framing an income tax law the talk
has gone the rounds In Washington
that 1t would lead to many fights in
crossed through the senate, many a
senator quietly expressed the view
that every line OF the income tax pro-
vision was subject for a lawsuit.
DuSinCSS 10 yet MOucys
With the lawsuits the treasury de-
partment has little concern. 1t is not
looking for them; it's business is to
go out and get the money, and that is
what 1t is trying to do. officials be-
lieve that the regulations they have
put out are framed, not with an idea
OF causing trouble to those who must
pay, but in the only way they could
be framed to safeguard the govern
ment's interest. The mar in the
street who knows he makes more
than $4,000 q year and who is per-
sonally responsible for his share of
the tax. does not need to begin wor-
rying about his payment for the pres
emf. The operation of the law af-
fects only banks. corporations and
others responsible for payment on
bonds. mortgages, salaries, etc.
For such part as they are bound by
the law they must withhold lat the
source" The amounts so withheld are
not payable Immediately to the treas
ury, and the money from the tax will
not begin owing into the treasury
vaults for mony months.
The tax for 1918 Is to be collected
from March 1, shortly after the consti-
tutional amendment was ratified, III
til Dec. 81. Withholding agents, how
ever. must begin deducting the nor
maj tax of m per cent at the source
now. withholding 1t for November and
December.