The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-11-26
Many Changes In Social Security
Laws From 1854 Amendments Cited

The 1854 amendments to the
Social Secority act have made
many changts, according to Yer
non L. Motley, field representa-
tive of the Social Security Ad-
ministration of Norfolk, who
regularly visits the Dare and
and Currituck area.
Note) Tyrrell, Hyde and Beau
fort Counties are covered by the
Rocky Mount office, but the reg
ulations are the same. However
persons in these counties should
contact their Social Security
office in Rocky Mount.
Most of these changes affect
everyone directly. either now or
at some future date, Mr.. Motley
says. He pointed out that begin
ming January l, 1855, more peo-
pit who live in this area will be
compulsorily covered under the
law, earning credit toward re-
tirement benefits at age IS or
for their survivors if they should
die. For example, employees of
fishing vessels will be covered
regardless of the net tonnage of
the vessel. This means that the
owner or operator of the vessel
must report the wages paid each
employee at the end of every
calendar quarter to the Director
of Internal Revenue, Greensboro,
N c. (The owner or operator of
the vessel has been covered I'M
der the law since January l.,
1851 and is required to file an
nually if his profit is $500 a year
or more and pay his tax as a
self-employed person with his
income tax return).
Another group brought under
the law for the first time are
self-employed farmers who net
$500 or more This includes those
persons who farm on rented or
leased land as well as their own
land. If you are in this group
you do not report or pay social
security tax on your 1854 earn
ings. Early in 1856, however, you
make social security report of
your 1855 earnings and pay the
tax. This report is part of the
income tax return. The tax rate
will be go of your profit. You do
not pay this tax on more than
$4,000 per year.
There has been a major change
with regard to leverage of farm
employees. Formerly a farm en-
ployee had to work regular for a
test period and then continue to
be regularly employed in order
for the farm operator to report
him. Beginning M So farm
employees who earn as much as
500 cash pay in year from
any one farmer must be reported
by the farm operator
Mr.. Motley pointed out that
the earliest date that any newly
covered person can become en-
titled to a monthly retirement
benefit is April 1856
Formerly certain professional
self-employed persons vert ex-
cluded from coverage under the
law who are covered as of
1/1/55. These are professional
engineers, architects, account
ants, and funeral directors. (Still
excluded are physicians, law
yers, dentists, veterinarians,
among others.)
Clergymen may now, at their
own election, be covered under
the same terms as if self-eml
ployed persons. To do this they
must file certificate with the
Director of Internal Revenue. In
general. he will have two years
in which to make this election,
but once made, it cannot be re-
voked. The minister pays his
own tax.
Persons employed by a State
or local government with the
exception of policemen and fire
mem can get social security pro-
lection under special agreements
between the State government
and the Federal government