The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-03-05

tnGSt inquire up Ills net income LOT 1915
and if the farm or business income
plus his other income was sufficient to
require an income tax return q COM
plete return must be filed with the col
lector of internal revenue by March Is.
A farmer should ascertain the gross
income of his 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
purchased for his live stock may be
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 of minor repairs on buildings
fbut not the dwelling house), on fences
wagons and farm machinery; also bills
paid for horseshoeing, stock powders
rock salt, services of veterinary, insur-
ance Except on dwelling housed, gaso-
line for operating power and sundry
other expenses which were paid for in
cash.
AS to hired help, oil 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 is
not allowed to claim a 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)
foncoc mo oh fporu 1x,nrly 10
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.
ciusively for farm purposes and not
for pleasure. Also, in such cases, de-
ductiOn for wear and tear Is allowed
Farm Losses.
The loss of a growing crop Is not a
proper deduction from income mas
much as the value of the crop had not
been taken into gross income. The
loss of a building or Of machinery
through storm, lightning, food, ETC., is
an allowable deduction, but care should
be used to ascertain the correct loss
sustained, as restricted by income tax
regulations
No deduction is allowed In the case
of loss of animals raised on the farm,
but a loss is deductible from gross In,
come IL the animals had been pur.
chased for draft or breeding purposes.
Shrinkage in weight or value of farm
products held for favorable market
prices cannot be deducted as loss, fol
the reason that when such products
are sold the shrinkage will be reflected
in the selling price.
Sale Of Farms and Land.
The value Of agricultural lands ha,
been jumping during the past few
years. and during 1919 many owners
sold out part or all of their lands al
big profits, All such gains constitute
income and must be taken into the ne
income for the year.
Any person who sold part of farm
or ranch, or part of a parcel of land
must also show any gains realized by
file sale
The method of figuring gains anc
losses on such transactions is pre-
scrihed in the Income Tax regulations
copies of which may be secured from
Internal Revenue Collectors.
Forms fer Returns.
The Internal Revenue Bureau hal
issued an improved Form 1040F fol-
the use of farmers. This form, to
gether with Form 1040A or 1910 will
give the farmer explicit information
as to how to properly figure his ne
income for 1919.
There are two methods of figuring {
farmers income tax return this year
He may make his return on the bash
of the difference between the none.
and goods received for his product,
and the cash paid out for actual allow
able farm expenses within the year
Or he may make his return on the &C
szIx lin.