Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16
BIC DAY FOR D. c.
INCOME TAX OFFICE
Officials Report 1882 Per-
sons Filed Returns Here
on Final Day.
"Check and double checkI"

"Check and double checkl"
! With these famous words and sigh
Of relief George Planthaler mopped his
berspiring brow last night, and as the
clock on the wall pointed to midnight
signed his name to the corporation in
come tax return of the W. T. Powell
Co., plumbers, 1928 Pennsylvania ave-
nue., the last legal return to be hled
II Washington.
The scene was at 1922 Pennsylvania
avenue, where for days long lines OF
taxpayers had filed through the little
Office of the deputy collector OF internal
revenue for this city to pay their annual
tribute to Uncle Sam.
Planthaler Last to File,
Z Planthaler was the last of few
stragglers who came in person to the
Office Just before the time limit expired
at midnight With big blue income
tax blank for corporations In one hand,
and a sheaf of papers on which were
many computations IN pencil marks,
Planthaler rushed to a table and rapid
" inserted the figures in ink in their
proper places, Swore to their accuracy.
and signed his name, at midnight the
door was locked.
It was a big day for the local Office,
The tiny counter with which watch
man and officials counted the callers
pointed to 1882 persons who had made
their returns the last day. About 1000
Of these had come in before noon.
Z The returns were for the entire
calendar year 1929, but the tax was
due last midnight on only the hrst
quarter.
Z Among the last taxpayers were some
wonen In evening clothes, and few
harassed looking and weary men, VINO
looked as though they had been strug-
cling for some time with last-minute
figuring.
Market Collapse Figures.
( Keenest interest is attached to results
Of the income tax returns due last mid
night in Washington and throughout
TIE country for the year 1929. the
stock market collapse last Fall dealt
heavy blows to business, which already
been been reflected in many quarters.
How much it will affect the Govern
ment's revenue through income tax re-
turns remains to be seen, IS soon as the
returns can be totaled.
I Many optismistic reports for business
IA the near future continue to come
forth from several quarters, and Presi-
dent Hoover himself recently predicted
4 SUBSTANTIAL recovery within so days.
But the income tax returns cover the
calendar year 1929, during which the
great losses Of the stock market TOOK
place.
Nnended a reduction in taxes virtually In
the teeth of the stock market crash, ana
Congress responded by making u eI-
3ective for 1929.
: Many times In the past, cut in
me income tax rates has been followed
by an increase in the total revenues
resulting to Uncle Sam. What will hap.
pen this time, however, in the wake OF
both the cut in tax rate and the coll
lapse of the market Is a question which
only the actual figures can answer.
4 No public announcement OF the re-
Che Treasury Department, but 1t is un-
derstood that Geographic advices VIII
be sent into Washington from all col
lectors as soon as possible, to give early
estimates on the situation. In all like
Mhood these will not be made public.
It may be several days before any fig
ures are disclosed by the Treasury.
Figures Not Issued.
The Treasury Department has issued
no figures in anticipation of its March
income tax receipts since last Fall,
when an estimate of $550,000000 to
cover the total was laid down in the
makeup of the Government budget.
This allowed for the reduction Of $780,
100000 in the corporation and personal
income levy which Congress made at
President Hoover's suggestion.
Last years March instAllment Of
corporate and personal income tax ran
TO S601, 100000. In view Of the fact
that corporation profits of 1929 are
generally estimated at somewhat greater
than those Of 1928, this months pay
Inents are expected to reflect that in
crease.
The effect Of the speculative recession
On personal incomes has aroused con-
smong Treasury experts. There are no
dependable guides as to the result,
though from the receipts Of the first
ID days Of the monitor which actual
figures are now available-the income
and corporation tax has been coming
in at rate 20 per cent below the same
period last year.
I Collectors Of revenue, whose of1ices
are always damned at this period, will
not be asked to make any unusual eff
forts to bring forward district totals,
the results Of which are being anxiouSly
followed by responsible Treasury ON
Gals. Upon the showing Of the March
quarterly payment will hinge the ques-
ton Of whether the Government can
get through the 1880 fiscal year with
cut mourning q deficit.
Last Fall, in making up the budget,
total receipts Of the Treasury were esti-
mated for the fiscal year 1880, which
ends next July, at 81 PAS, 1858, 434, and eX-
penditures, including the sinking fund,
were estimated at $4,023, 1871 900. That
left an anticipated surplus Of $225 ,000,-
600, but it was reduced 100000 by
the income and corporate tax decrease
allowed for the full year. This allow
ance left the possible 1880 fiscal year
surplus at $145,000, 900, but to bring it
about the estimate placed income tax
receipts for the fiscal year at $50, 000,-
600 in excess of those of the preceding