TAXATION DEMANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 March 1939, Page 5

TAXATION DEMANDS

NEW AND SIMPLIFIED FORMS. STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF FINANCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. New return forms in respect of income tax and social security charge upon income other than salary or wages are now being issued to the post offices, and will be available to the public within the next few days. In a statement yesterday the Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, said the provision of new and larger premises had made possible a better organisation of the Land and Income Tax Department, and an increased attention to those who did not fulfil their legal obligations voluntarily. “The desirability of securing simplicity in the forms used for taxation purposes and of combining the income tax return and the declaration of income required for social security purposes has always been recognised,” said Mr. Nash. “The new forms make a start toward this goal; further progress will be possible after the legislation relating to income tax has been revised this year. “The income tax return form for use by individuals is considerably smaller than that previously in use, consisting of two sheets only, as against the three used in former years. With it there will be distributed a detached sheet which is separated by perforation into four parts, and so arranged that the parts not required by any individual taxpayer may readily be discarded. “The social security declaration should be completed and furnished by May 1 next, when the first quarterly instalment of the social security charge is payable; penalties follow if payment is not made by May 31. The income tax returns are not due till June 1, but most taxpayers will find it convenient to complete both returns at the one time. “It is necessary to stress that, with the coming into operation of the Social Security Act, 1938, all persons of the age of 16 or over are required to make a declaration of income. In some cases this is the only return which will be required, though the circumstances of most persons will necessitate the making of further returns also. Severe penalties follow upon the non-comple-tion of returns, and taxpayers are advised to secure forms and to read carefully the very full instructions provided. “Every person who asks for a social security declaration or for an income tax return form will be given all forms which might possibly be applicable in his case. The responsibility for obtaining and completing such forms is upon the taxpayer, who will not be able to excuse any neglect on his part by saying that .the forms provided were not suited to his circumstances,"