The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1920-03-12
Gains for 1919 Must Be Figured
Under U. S. LaW-ReturnS
Due March Is.
LAND SALE PROFITS TAXABLE.
Necessary Farm Expenses May BE De-
ducted-Special Form for Farm
4 Income-Cash or Accruai
Basis for Computing.

A farmer, shopkeeper, or tradesman
must figure up his net income for 1919;
and If the farm or business income
plus his other income was sufficient to
require an income tax return, COM
plete return must be filed with the col
lector of internal revenue by March 10.
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 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 SHOW
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
animals is not deductible item.
Other farm expenses allowable are
the cost of minor repairs on buildings
(but not the dwelling house,, on fences,
wagons and farm machinery also bills
paid for horseshoeing, stock powders.
rock salt, services of veterinary, insur-
anee Except on dwelling house), gaso-
line for operating power and sundry
other expenses which were paid for in
cash.
AS to hired help, all the productive
labor is deductible expense; but the
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.
Purchases 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, 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 lot
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, for
the reason that when such products
are sold the shrfnkage will be reflected
IN the selling price.