The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-13
Courtesy and Fair Dealing
Mark Income Tax Work

Washington. March 12,--"when
you start out to collect So
500 900, 900, be nice
The bureau OF internal revenue is
seeking to impress this advice upon
every one of its thousands of en-
ployes who are aiding in the colloc-
ton Of war revenues. To this end
II is having prepared Tor the guild
ance and assistance of it's forces
manual which will contain sugges-
tions Of value TO every large agency
which comes in contact with the pubs
lie.
Courtesy and square dealing are es-
sentials demanded 10y Commissioner
Of internal revenue Daniel c. Roper.
Suggestions for use in the manual, the
adoption of which viii assure the
taxpayer of such treatment, we're
eought from collectors OF internal
revenue. deputy collectors, revenue
agents and the field force.
Here are q few already received:
The government representative
should be courteous ct all times. have
CHEEKY manner and forget the
crouch, never. under any circum-
stances lose his temper and avoid all
arguments.
He should never accept a gift or
Should there arise a difference OF
opinion with regard TO details. the
altitude and manner of the represen-
tative of the government must in
variably be one which gives no sug
Restion OF doubt as to the Taxpayers
motives,
Never put anything over on the
taxpayer. because that is a. kaiser
! like abuse of authority and the man
who does It isn't fit to be vested with
authority.
! Tell the taxpayer all his rights.
| The government wants every cent due
! 1t and it wants the taxpayer to keep
every cent he is entitled to keep.
! "A man in the field force should
newer lose sight Of the fact that ours
Is "a government OF the people. by the
/ people and for the people. The peo-
/ pie with whom we come IN contact
( constitute this government which en-
ploys us to serve them"
With these precepts in the mind
of the man who is collecting the tax,
tho man who is paying will know that
ne is getting whn the government
wants him TO have--a square deal.
The period for fling returns. which
are required of every unmarried per
son whose income for 1917 was 1000
or more ana every married person
whose income was $4,000 or more.
ends April l. IT is estimated that
, the number of returns that will be
file with the commissioner of internal
100000. Tho penalty for failure Is
a fne Of not less than $40 nor more
than $1,000 and an additional as
sessment Of so per cent Of the amount
uf tax due, Plans for checking the
returns have been made bv the bu-
reau Of internal revenue, and tbs
( man who deliberately eyades the in
come tax It Is announced, need Elk.
pect no leniency, Under the 'infor-
nation AZ source" provision OF the
law every employer is required tc
file with the commissioner ofinterna
, revenue report of payments of $500
or more made TO each ernploye dur
ing the year 1917 Thousands Of
, such reports have been received.
Payment must be made on or be.
fore June ! z. Millions OF taxpayers
however. are saving themselves and
the government time and trouble hy
paying their tax AT tho time Of fflins
their return The penalty for making
o false or fraudulent return In q fine
not exceeding $4,000 or not exceeding
} one years imprisonment, or both ant
90 per cent of the tax due, For
failing to pay on time the penalty
is m assessment OF per cent of the
amount due, plus I per cent Interest
for each month during which IT re
mains unpaid.