Evening star., 1938-07-24
TH0USANDSFACE
PENALTIES FOR
LATE TAX FILES
District Authorities Warn
Returns Must Be Made
by Next Saturday.
$1,000 BUSINESS FIRMS
LAGGARD WITH REPORTS
Only $4,000 Of Estimated Sc, 900
Personal Property Accounts
Have Been Recorded.

Stern warnings that many thousands
OF District taxpayers vii be faced with
imposition Of heavy penalties unless
they make business privilege and per-
sonal property tax returns before the
end of this week were issued yesterday
by District tax authorities.
A check-up indicated $4,000 or more
firms and individuals are running the
danger Of penalties for failure to
make returns on gross receipts under
the business privilege tax and that
some $4,000 persons have yet to make
personal property tax returns or face
extra costs.
Tax ofhcials have made prepara-
tions for handling late returns BY
many thousands, since it is traditional
that many wait to the last minute to
flle their statements, but they antici-
pated that not all would get under
the deadline next Saturday.
Business Tax Mandatory.
Emphasizing again that the adverse
District Court decision Thursday on
the business privilege tax dealt only
with one phase Of last years act-since
revised-District officials warned that
the law requires severe penalties for
those who fail to make gross receipt
returns before August /.
A. F. Brooke, administrator Of the
business privilege tax. revealed that
less than 5000 business and profes.
sional operators had filed returns on
business done here In the preceding
IL months. He had calculated that
more than 10000 would be required.
This would indicate that some $4,000
or more face imposition of an addition
OF 10 per cent on their ultimate tax
bill for the first month of delinquency
IN nling the return. plus per cent
Tor each additional month of de-
linquency.
No Returns From $4,000.
Meanwhile Charles A. Russell, dep
uty assessor Of taxes, reported that
roughly $4,000 persons have failed
to make their personal property tax
returns, also due this month. He
warned that a 20 per cent penalty
VIII confront those who fail to get
their returns to the District before
August /.
! For the past fiscal year. Mr.. Rus
sell said, there were 49,5D0 personal
property tax returns. showing a tax
! totaling $s,454.23e.85 Up to the
close OF business yesterday there had
been filed only $4,000 personal tax
returns. whereas Mr.. Russell figures
there should be no less than 10000
filed this year.
Check on Federal Returns.
He added:
All persons claiming residence, or
maintaining a place of abode in the
District OF Columbia on July l and
for three months prior thereto, are
required to file personal tax returns
II they are the owner Of any taxable
tangible or intangible personal prop
erty.
The ofdce Of the assessor has ac-
cess to the records of the Bureau of
Internal Revenue under the law, and
close check Is being made OF income
tax returns made to the Federal Gov
ernment for the calendar year 1897,
which will be compared with the per-
sonal tax returns. and persons whose
names are not found In the personal
tax records. but who have fied a
Federal income tax return, will be
required to show cause why q return
Of personal property was not made
by them.
1T Is suggested that any one resid-
ing in the District, or maintaining
place Of abode. ascertain from the
personal tax ONCE as to their liability
for return. as no excuse can be taken
toward relief from the 20 per cent
or the other penalties that will attach
under the law, If q personal tax re-
turn is not filed during the month Of
July, and tax paid In September of
1888, and March OF 1889"