Evening star., 1923-01-23
D. c. ASKS 81 TAG
AND 2-CENT GAS
RECIPROCITY LAW
Effective January |, 1924,
if Maryland Grants Free
Privileges by July | Next.
$1,000, 900 is ESTIMATED
NEW ANNUAL REVENUE
Steam and Electrically Driven We
hicles $14 and $40 Per Year,
Under New Plan.

A tax of cents a gallon on gaso-
line, and a tag fee OF 81 a year will
be recommended to Congress by the
Commissioners as a means of bring
ing about automobile reciprocity be-
tween the District and Maryland.
The bill as finally approved by the
Commissioners in board session today
provides for tbe abolition of the pre-
sent personal property tax on auto
mobiles.
1t is further stipulated that the
new legislation shall not go into ef-
feet on January 1, 1924, unless the
state of Maryland on or before July
1, 1923, agrees to grant free and un-
restricted automobile privileges to
Washingtonians..
The Commissioners have estimated
tnat the new form of taxation will
brlng in approximately $I,000,0OO a
year In revenue, which is slightly more
thah is now derived from autornobile
Tags and from the personal tax on mo-
tor vehicles
New Fee Charges.
The bill provides that electrically
and steam driven motor vehicles shall.
In addition to the annual registration
fee Of 81, be charged as follows:
All motor vehicles operated by
steam. s14 per year.
Electrically driven passenger-carry-
ing vehicles, SO per year
Electrically operated trucks. having
l'ooO pounds or less rated carrying ca
paclty, minimum charge of $40, plus
- Tor each additional 1000 pounds or
less carrying capacity"
half Of the 2-cent tax be placed in the
treasury to the full credit of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, in lieu of the pres
ent personal property tax on motor We
The remaining half of the tax and all
OF the 81 registration fee shall be
placed In the Treasury to the credit of
the United States and the District gov
which approximations for the District
are made. Under present law this ratio
is SO per cent by the District and 40
per cent by the United States.
Statements TO BE Flea
The bill provides that every deal
er in motor vehicle fuel shall file a
statement before the last day of the
month of the amount of gasoline sold
the preceding month, and at the same
time shall pay the tax to the collector
the sale of motor vehicle fuel after
January 1. 1924, until he has furnish
ed a certificate as required by the
proposed act to the assessor of the
District.
The records of all receipts, sales or
distribution of motor vehicle fuel by
dealers shall at all times be subject
to inspection by the assessor and the
collector of taxes or their agents.
1t is provided that no tax on motor
vehicle fuel exported or sold for ex-
bia shall be imposed. 1t is provided
that the tax shall not apply to gaso-
line sold for motor boats, aerop1anes,
stationary engines or for cleaning
and dyeing purposes. In such cases.
signed statement setting forth the
use to which the gasoline is to be
put. Such statements shall be re
tanned by the importer of the fuel
until the rendition by him of his next
monthly report to the collector of
taxes.
Penalty for Violators.
It is set forth that any person or
firm violating any of the provisions
of the act or making false state
ment in connection with the sale or
use of motor vehicle fuel shall be
deemed guilty OF a misdemeanor and
upon conviction shall be punished by
fine of not less than $50, not more
than $4,000 or bv Imprisonment for
not more than one year, or both such
fine and Imprisonment.
1t is made unlawful for the assessor
or collector of taxes to disclose, ex-
cept when required by court of law.
the amount of tax paid in pursuance
of this act or any other information
'lIodeI kIuluom eql VI psuIsluoo
1t Is provided that all motor We
hicles owned and used by the United
States or the District shall cary reg
istration tags subject to the same
regulations as apply to all other We
hicles, such tags to be furnished
without charge.
1t is stipulated that all prosecu-
tions for violations of any of the
provisions OF the act shall be in the
police court.
NnT0I0CNT 10 nr0TIkI0