FARMERS AND INCOME TAX.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1915, Page 7

FARMERS AND INCOME TAX.

POSITION MADE CLEARER. In asking the Star to publish the following telegrams which have passed between himself and the Minister of Finance (Sir Joseph Ward), Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. for Egmont, observes: 'lt appears to me that much unnecessary alarm has been created owing to farmers in a small way sometimes thinking they are under an obligation to make a return. In my opinion, many hundreds of farmers are preparing returns which are not required." The following are the telegrams which have passed between the member for Egmont and the Minister of Finance: To Sir Joseph Ward, Wellington.— Hundreds of small farmers this district much concerned regarding income tax return. In almost every instance'ho taxes would be received from these people. Can anything be done? Utmost publicity required.—Wilkinson. From Sir Joseph Ward, Wellington.— In reply to your telegram, in the case of small farmers where the Department is reasonably satisfied that they are not likely to come under the income tax, forms for returns have not been sent to them. This will not, of course, relieve anyone who comes under the Income Tax Act from complying with the conditions of the law; when a return has not been asked for directly By the Department no penalty will be imposed for failure to make one. One of the inspectors will visit the district in due course, and the fullest information and assistance will be given to farmers, Full publicity will ftlsq be siv.fb