The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1918-02-01
NO WAY TO EVADE
THE INCOME TAX
EVERY GOOD AMERICAN EARNING
FAIR LIVING WILL HELP TO
PAY EXPENSES OF WAR.
RETURNS DUE BEFORE MARCH
Heavy Penalties Provided for Failure
to File Reinforcement Officials
Will Be In Every County to Assist
the Taxpayers.
INiilUEl
come tax?''

MT IL the question that thousands
! OF Americans are asking. The answer,
in general way, lies in this state
ment:
Every unmarried person having q
net income Of 1000 or more, and ev-
cry married person or head of a fam
lily having an income of $1,000 or more
must file return. These returns must
be in the hands of the collector of in
ternal revenue in the district In which
the taxpayer lives or has his principal
and March /, 1918
The man who thinks to evade this
tax is making serious error. Revenue
officials will be in every county to
check returns. Failure TO make cor
rect return within the time specified
involves heavy penalties.
NET income" means gross income
less certain deductions provided for by
the act. The law defines income as
profit, gain, wages, salary, commits
sions, money or its equivalent from
professions, vacations, commerce,
trade, rents, sales and dealings in prop
erty, real and personal, and interest
from investments except interest from
government bonds, or state, municipal
township or county bonds Incomes
from service as guardian, trustee or
executor; from dividends, pensions,
royalties, or patents, or oil and gas
wells, coal land, etc.. are taxable.
Normal Rate Is 2 Per Cent.
The normal rate of tax is per cent
on net incomes above the amount of
exemptions, which is $4,000 in the case
of g married person or head of FAM
lily and $1,000 in the case of a single
person. A married person or head of
a family is allowed an additional ex-
emption of 5000 for each dependant
child if under eighteen years of age
or incapable Of self-support because
defective. The taxpayer is considered
to be the head Of a family IL he Is
actually supporting one or more per
sons closely connected with him by
blood relationship or relationship by
marriage. or If his duty to support
such person is based on some moral
or legal obligation.
Debts ascertained to be worthless |
and charged off within the year and |
taxes paid except income taxes and |
those assessed against local benefits
are deductible These and other points
Of the income tax section of the war
revenue act will be fully explained by
revenue officers who will visit every
county in the United States between
January . and March l to assist tax
Officers to Visit Every Locality.
Notice of their arrival In each local
ty will be given In advance through
he press, banks and post Offices. They
will be supplied with income tax forms
copies Of which may be obtained also
rom collectors OF internal revenue
The bureau of internal revenue is
seeking to impress upon persons sub
ect 70 the tax the fact that failure to
Zee this official in no way relieves
hem of the duty imposed by law TO
lie their returns within the time speci-
led.
The government is not required TO
eek the taxpayer. The taxpayer Is
eQuired to seek the government. Per-
ons in doubt MS TO whether they are
ubject to the tax or not or as TO how
o make out their returns, will readily
therefore. that a visit To
his official may mean the avoidance
later difficulties.
The penalty for failure 20 make the
eturn on time is fine OF not less
han 500 nor more than $1,000 and
4 addition 80 per cent OF the amount
Z the tax due. For making a false
r fraudulent return. the penalty Is
fine not 60 exceed $1,000 or not ex-
eedlng one years Imprisonment. or
9th. in the discretion OF the court. and
/ addition 100 per cent OF the tax
vaded.
AS TO the Farmers.
The number of farmers who will pay
lcOmc taxes has not been estimated
y the government officials. but II is
srtain they VIII form large percen-
lgc OF the 100000 persons assessed
no never before have paid an income
*. The average farmer does not
nep books but il he avails himself OF
Ie services OF government experts
no Will be sent TO aid him, IL will not
. difficult for him TO ascertain the |
mount OF his net income. :
The farmer is making out his return
ay deduct depreciation in the value 4
property and machinery used in the
nduct Of his farm, and loss by fire.
or1n or other casualty. or by theft IL
II covered by insurance. Expenses
'tually incurred I'm farm operation
ay be deducted. but not family or liv-
9 expense. Produce raised on the 4
rm and traded for groceries. wearing
'parel. etc., Is counted as living ex-
mixtures and cannot be deducted.
Salaries paid by the state or a polit-
al subdivision Of the state are ex-
apt. A farmer holding the job of
unity supervisor. for instance. does
I have TO include his salary In his In
me tax return