El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-03

THE income tax drive Of 1913 is now
L under way. and every preparation
is being made 10 handle the largest
collection in the history OF income
tax. I am not waiting for the final
passage OF the new revenue bill by
congress-" writes internal revenue
collector A. S. Walker. from Austin.
nor for the new regulations and
blank forms TO be issued. To get
this big tax in and get II accurate
and complete. I urge that we all begin
now"
The income tax obligations i'm
posed by the Old laws. as well as the
measure now in congress. consists OF
two diEtinct operations. one is. 20
file return or statement OF all items
Of income and items Of declarations
allowable by law, and to do this with
in the period named in the law. The
other is, 20 pay the tax, II any is due
Neither Of these obligations can
be met without a careful review OF
income and expenditures for the tax
year. That is the big Job right now.
and that is why say the income tax
drive is already under way. Every
man land woman. tool should imme-
diately prepare a complete and lccu-
rate detailed statement OF his re-
ceipts for the year 1918.
win Help Taxpayers.
when the new bill is enacted into
law, I will have the proper return
forms distributed throughout the dis
trlct. and everybody will be Informed
OF the date when the sworn return
must be filed. It IS my plan to send
ny men out to central locations. and
70 Al > - III
trict. aiding taxpayers in the prepara-
tion OF the returns and in deciding
doubtful points
Meanwhile. let me say again. there
IL no need in delaying the prepara-
ton OF figures. Anything that con
gress does now viii not affect the
amount Of q persons earnings for
1918. Let US avoid the belated throw
ing together OF figures that may hit
or miss Guesses cannot be accepted
as the basis Of taxation It IS clearly
the duty OF every person to compile
correct figures and ascertain whether
his income for 1918 was sufficient 20
make necessary 4 sworn return.
Many Pay First Time.
The year 1918 was a banner year
FOR salaries and wages. and the high
war prices brought unusual profits to
the average small tradesmau and TO
the farmer in many sections OF the
countrS. The opinion in Washington
is that a million citizens and resi-
dents viii make this year their first
income tax returns.
"All signs indicate that the income
tax this year viii reach many work
ing men and women. and nearly every
merchant or shop keeper. as well as
a big percentage OF farmers.
Il am therefore advising every IN
married person who earned $1,000 or
over, during the year 1918. and mar
ried person. who. together with wife
or husband. earned $4,000. to sharpen
his pencil and figure out how he
stands
Get accurate Figures.
He must ascertain accurately HIS
gross income from all sources. There's
his salary or wages. including over
time pay and any bonus received IS
additional compensation. A married
person having children under Is who
are working should include the earn
fuEs Of such children.
II he sold any property at a profit
the gain must be computed and in
cluded in gross income. II he rented
any property 70 other persons. the
total rents received IN the wear must
be ascertained. and from that figure
a deduction may he taken for taves
paid on rented pronert~- +1a rerea-