The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-01-04
FILE RETURN
BJEcT TO INCOME TAX
IREp TO SUBMIT STATE
hENTs BY MARCH 1.
HEAVY PENALTY FOR FAILURE
Returns Will BE RioidIy Checked and
Assistance Given Taxpayers by Of
flcials In Every County--Tips
to Farmers.

Washington good Americans
who are making fair living are now
called upon to pay, in the way of an
income tax, their share of the cost OF
the war. Whether or not he is sub
ject TO this tax is the question every
man must settle ut once. In few
words this Is the answer: Every un
married man whose net income is ST.,
oU0 or more and every married man OF
(hesid of a family whose income is 81,
600 or over must pay the tax. Before
March |, 1918, he must Ale his return
with the collector of internal revenue
in the district in which he lives or has
his principal place of business.
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 a 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. vocations, 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 OF
executor; from dividends, pensions,
royalties, or patents, or oil and gas
wells, coal land, etc, are taxable.
Normal Rate Is Per Cent.
The normal rate of tax is 2 per cen.
on net incomes above the amount OF
exemptions, which is $1,000 In the case
of 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 $500 for each dependant
child IL under eighteen years of age
or l. capable of self-support because
defective The taxpayer is considered
to be the head of family if he is
actually supporting one or more per
sons closely connected with him by
blood relationship or relationship By
marriage, or il 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 dement's
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
payers In making out their returns.
OFFICERS to Visit Every Locality.
Notice of their arrival In each local
lty will be given in advance through
the press, banks and post offices. They
will be supplied with income tax forms
copies of which may be obtained also
from collectors of internal revenue.
The bureau of internal revenue is
seeking to impress upon persons sub
JeCL 10 Tie lsiA LIE int ehat AoAhuAS ~
see this official in no way relieves
them of the duty imposed by law to
ale tiaeir returns within the time speci-
fed.
The government is rot required to
seek the taxpayer. The taxpayer is
required to seek the government.
The penalty for failure to make the
return on time is fine of not less
than $40 nor more than $1,000, and
in addition 80 per cent of the amount
of the tax due. For making a false
or fraudulent return. the penalty is
fine not to exceed $1,000 or not ex-
eeeding one years Imprisonment, or
BOTH in the discretion of the court, and
in addition 100 per cent OF the tax
evaded
AZ to the Farmers
The number of farmers who will pay
income taxes has not been estimated
by the government officials, but 1t is
certain they will form a large percen-
tage Of the 100000 persons assessed
who never before have paid an income
tax. The average farmer does not
keep books but If he avails himself Of
the services Of government experts
who will be sent to aid him, it will not
be difficult for him to ascertain the
amount Of his net income.
The farmer is making sut his return
may deduct depreciation in the value
Of property and machinery used in the
conduct Of his farm, and loss by fire.
storm or other casualty, or by theft If
not covered by insurance. Expenses
actually incurred in farm operation
may be deducted, but not family or liv-
ing expense. Produce raised on the
farnl and traded for groceries, wearing