Norwich bulletin., 1920-03-27

!. When will our tax laws be revised z This question is being asked on every
 hand as tax returns are being filed,
 and ia of importance to every Amert-
 can who contributes directly or indi-
 reetly to the governments s revenues.
 writes D. c. Roper, commissioner ot internal revenue in The Independent
 Doubt as to what is to be the Iu- ture tax policy of the nation is dam aging to every interest. The most important. thing that can be done for 1.-the taxpayer 8nd the country at this ltime is to remove the doubt and un- certainty which accompanies the feel ing that the tax laws are going to be constantly under revision and re- view. If congress is not going to take up seriously the revision of the laws Fit is in the interest, of the government as well as the business world that 1t should frankly and, promptly say so. There has been for many months past a great clamor for tax revision. l It seem to me that definite heed should be, given it. both by the legis- Native and the executive, branches or the government Both should endeayor | to eliminate the complications of the present law, to avoid as far as pos- sible the shackling of business and to work out permanent and simplified system of taxation. And to tkis end 1 every taxpayer should become a stu l dent of the theory and practice Of l taxation and should strive to assist
 those whose duty it is to frame and | administer the laws with suggestions
 growing out of his own. experience and observation.
 Revisioni of the. tax laws does not
 necessarily involve reduction in the amount of revenue. to be secured by | oax7f. might involve lowering some and in i creasing other tax rates, better, to ad- T just our system to post war condi- tions.
 | When then can all taxes be brought | down. Before. that question can be an tswered we must consider and give
 answer to several others. even more
 fundametal importance: It is of i'm I portance that we answer them quick I ly to. be rid of the uncertainty have q spoken of above. but we have not yei Il the information necessary to answer
 them with wisdom.
 sE Practically every European. govern ment Is at present considering the inn \ position of higher tax levieS. Only
 the United States among the bellig-
 terents has bee nable to lower its wal 1 tax rates. ThiS years revenues iron q taxation and the sale of surplus wal materials will be quite ample, it i! estimated to meet current govern
 mental expenditures. Everyone agree
 I take it, that we should never reduce y the revenues to be returned by taxa , ton to an extent that would mak } new bond issues necessary to defral
 the ordinary expenses of government
 The cost of government at presen is high. Like the individual the gov } ernment can somewhat better it's fin : fancial, position by the practice o : Eeconomy. But the cost of governmen o'E in the main cannot. be materially re 5 duced until high prices come dowr ] for the government is as much affect ed by the high cost of living as tn average citizen. It Is important in thi : connection to consider whether heav taxation is the cause, as has bee 2 many times alleged, or the effect c l high prices.
 Must we. reduce taxes to reduc y prices. or reduce prices to reduce tax es? I am of the emphatic opinio e that high prices are due to othe 5 causes principally to the condition ( I uncertainty in every line. and tha