"ESCAPE TAXES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 1, 3 January 1939, Page 6

"ESCAPE TAXES

ENRICH THE GERMANS

The German Government has announced it has collected 44,680,445 dollars in "escape taxes" during the flrst half of the; current .fiscal year, beginning on April 1, says a Berlin message to the "New York Times." This compares with only 32,541,200 dollars for the entire fiscal year of 1936-37 and less than 400,000 dollars in 1932, the last yfcar preceding Adolf Hitler's regime. The "escape tax" is imposed at the rate of 25, per cent, on the possessions of persons leaving 'or suspected of the intention of leaving the Reich. According to official explanation, the large increase in revenues.'from this tax is due to-"increased emigration from Greater. Germany, especially of Jews," which means primarily from Austria. ■ The total of "escape taxes" collected since Hitler came to power is 145,600,000 dollars. The total value of the property taxes; therefore; is nearly 600,000,000 dollars. imposed by the then Chancellor Heinrich Bruening •to prevent the flight of capital during the financial crisis of the early- 19305, this tax has been employed under Hitler almost exclusively against Jews. ' < . In practice it is imposed not only on actual Jewish: emigrants, but on most Jews: with liquid capital in banks, because possession of such capital is deemed prima facie evidence; of the intention to emigrate. In the present circumstances this: means thfe tax is rapidly being imposed on all Jews, as they are being forced to liquidate their businesses at any prices-ait^piit^eir; Money' lit-baiiks, even tWduihyth'eir -right to disppie of sudh: .deposits: is l subject to severe restrictions; 'v- : '[Ay.. "'-.