The daily morning oasis., 1920-03-10
FARMERS INCOME
SUBJECT TO TAX

A farmer, shOpkeepes, or tradesman
must figure up his net income for 1917:
and if the farm or business income
plus his other income was sufficient to
cequire an income tax return COM
Dlete return must be fled with the col
lector of internal revenue by March 10.
A farmer should ascertain the gross
income Of bis farm by computing all
gains derived from the sale or ex-
change of his products. whether pro-
duced on the farm or purchased and
resold.
Farm Expenses.
From his gross income a farmer Is
allowed to charge off all Of his neces-
sary expenses in the conduct Of the
farm during the year. These include
costs of planting, cultivating, harvest
ing and marketing. In addition to
these costs he may deduct money spent
for ordinary farm tools of short life
bought during the year, such as shov-
els, rakes. etc Also, the cost of feed
3
treated as an expense In so far as this
cost represents actual outlay, but the
value of his own products fed TO ami
mails is not deductible item.
Other farm expenses allowable are
the cost ot minor repairs on buildings
(but not the dwelling house), on fences.
wagons and farm machinery also biiiS
paid for horseshoeing, stock powders
rock salt, services Of veterinary. insui
ance Except Cd dwelling fouse), gaso
/ line for operating power and sundry
other expenses which were paid for in
cash
As to hired help, all the productive
labor is a deductible expense; but the
| wages of household servants. or help
hired to improve the farm, as In tree
planting. ditching, ETC., cannot be
claimed against earnings. A farmer ts
not allowed to claim salary for him
self or members of his family who
work on the farm.
Wear and Tear.
Purchase of farm machinery, wag-
Ons, work animals. etc, also the cost
Of construction or extension of build
ings, silos, fencing, etc. should be con-
sidered additional investments in the
farm and are not proper deductions
/ against income.
A reasonable allowance may be
claimed for wear and tear on farm
! buildings Except the farmhOuse),
fences, machinery, work animals, wag-
Ons, tanks, windmills and other farm
equipment which is used in the con-
duct of the farm.
AS to autos and tractors, the cost of
these is not an expense, although the
cost Of their upkeep Is an allowable
deduction, if the machines are used ex-
clusively for farm purposes and not
for pleasure. Also, in such cases, a de-
! ductiOn for wear and tear is allowed.
/ Farm Losses.
i The loss Of growing crop is not
proper deduction from income, mas
much as the value Of the crop had not
been taken into gross income. The
loss of building or Of machinery
through storm, lightning, flood. etc, is
| an allowable deduction, but care should
be used to ascertain the correct loss
sustained, as. restricted by income tax
/ regulate
/ No deduction Is allowed in the case
of loss of animals raised on the farm.
but Il loss is deductihIe fror, gross IN
come If the animals had been pur
hast,d for draft or breedin. purposes
Shrinkage In weight or value of farm
products held for favorable marker
prices cannot he deducted as loss, fnt
| the reason that Wien such. prndui.'>
are sold the shrinkage will be reflected
In the selling price.
SaIeSof Farms and Land.
* The value Of agricultural lands has
been jumping during the past few
| years, and during 1919 many owners
sold out part or all of their lands at
big profits. All such gains constitute
income and must be taken into the net
income for the year.
Any person who sold part Of a farm
or ranch, or part Of parcel Of land,
must also show any gains realized by
the sale.
The method Of figuring gains and
losses on such transactions is pre-
scribed In the Income Tax regulations,
copies OF which may be secured from
Internal Revenue Collectors.
Forms for Returns.
The Internal Revenue Bureau has
issued an improved Form 1O4OF for
the use Of farmers This form, to-
gether with Form 104OA or 1910, will
give the farmer explicit information
as to how to properly figure his net
income for 1919.
There are two methods Of figuring
farmers income tax return this year.
He may make his return on the basis
# The difference between the money
and goods received for his products
and the cash paid out for actual allow
able farm expenses within the year
Or he may make his return on the ac-
crual basis, which means computing
the receipts and expenses that pertain
to the taxable year, excluding income
earned and expenses incurred In pre-
YiOuS or succeeding years