The Washington times., 1919-01-26
FAKE INCOME TAX
EXPERTS BUSY HERE

Warning against fake experts on
income tax matters is given in
statement issued yesterday by Daniel
c. Roper, commissioner of internal
revenue.
business houses and individuals
are being canvassed by numerous So
called income tax experts who offer
to relieve the busy taxpayer from all
worries about his tax responsible
ties" said Commissioner Roper.
Il desire to make public announce
ment for the information OF taXpay-
ers. that an investigation Of the quail
ifcations of many of these experts
will disclose the fact that very few
have had the training and experience
that would place them anywhere near
the expert class.
Some Of them were formerly tenn
porary employees of the Government
who are attempting to capitalize this
fact regardless of their personal
knowledge OF the revenue laws and
regulations. Others are soliciting
clients on the strength of diplomas as
income tax experts obtained after
taking long distance courses by
means of printed instructions OF
doubtful value.
Warns Against Strangers.
Taxpayers should not allow them
selves to be imposed upon by
strangers who claim to be income tax
experts. They should discriminate
carefully between really helpful, au-
thoritative advice in tax matters and
the irresponsible brand peddled under
glittering pretenses.
"The bureau is arranging to fur
nish for the benefit Of income tax pay
ers in every city and town in the
country a free advisory service by
trained collectors, agents, inspectors
and deputies. At the offices of col
lectors and their deputies, and at
other central points, free information
and advice with respect to filing re-
turns under the new revenue bill may
be had up to the final date for filing
such returns.
Banks, trust companies and SINH
lar responsible institutions have al
ways co-operated in furnishing au-
thentic income tax information, and
have generously offered to serve the
Government and taxpayers in this re-
spect again this year.
1T is the aim of the bureau to
! bring its agencies as close as possi-
BILE to every person, and to make
| available in official form all neces-
| sary information regarding the re-
quirements of the law. The bureau
welcomes aid from every responsible
| agency in its effort to enlighten the
people on tax matters.
Assures Square Deal.
[ Every taxpayer is assured of a
square deal from the Government
based entirely on the tax laws and
regulations and the facts in his case.
No other influence is allowed to enter
into internal revenue matters and the
statement of any firm or individual
that they are in a position to exert
special influence with internal rev.
enue officers is wholly without foun-
dation in fact. Painstaking and open
minded consideration is given in every
case regardless of whether the tax
payer appears in person or by at
| torney.
Firms or persons who offer to
prosecute claims against the Govern,
ment can secure no special considera-
tion beyond the merits of the claims
as determined by the facts and the
law.
"Any former Government officer or
employe is barred by statute from
] acting as counsel, attorney or agent
for prosecuting claims against the
United States which were pending
while he was an officer or employe
and is also barred from aiding in any
manner the prosecution of such claims
within two years after leaving the
| Government SerVicah