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20 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 8, 1984 Ottawa report from MP Allan Lawrence The end of April means the deadline has arrived for filing In- come Tax returns, and most of us assume that has always been so. Actually, there are some who can remem- ber when Income Tax was first introduced in 1917, as a sort of temporary means through which the Can- adian government could raise extra money it . needed during the first World War. The government of the day didn't exactly say it was to be tempor- ary. But it promised to reconsider the tax on incomes when the war was over, to see if it was still needed. I needn't tell you how that was decided! Over the succeeding years, Canada develop- ed one of the world's tax-payers themselves. They have to believe that the system is fair. If they feel that honest people are being forced to carry an unfair share of the tax burden, then tax-payers will tend to hide income and to under-pay their own taxes. The key recommend- ation is for a tax-payer's bill of rights - a document spelling out in plain language such things as a tax-payer's right to be considered innocent until proven guilty, the right to privacy, the right to full and accurate inform- ation, and the right to courteous treatment. Other recommend- ations include ending the infamous quota system for tax auditors, not requiring payment on tax assessments until appeals are settled, and curtailing Revenue Canada's powers to search and seize. The report proposes creating a small claims tax tribunal to handle disputes involving less than $5,000. Tax-payers would get a response to their cases in 30 days, the informal procedure would help cut through red tape, and no lawyers would be needed. Revenue Canada, with its unusual powers and responsibilities, should be placed under a senior cabinet min- ister -- one well exper- ienced in government and who will run the department, and not be run by it. The Income Tax Act itself is so vast and complex, it's doubtful any one person fully understands it. Reform of this "legislation to simplify it is long over- due. I believe the Task Force report, as. part of our Progressive Con- servative policy, is an important step towards correcting our tax system. If you would like a copy of the report, write to me: Allan Lawrence, M.P., House of Commons, Ottawa KiA 0A6. No postage is required. fairest and most honest tax systems. That's as it should be, for nothing in government is more important than preserv- ing public confidence in the integrity of the tax system. Our tax system is based on self-assess- ment. To work, it requires tax-payers to report honestly their incomes and to send in the proper amount of tax. Such a system can only function with the active support of the Now available at ... STAR NEED 0 PHOTO Office Products | | Somes: PORT PERRY 5 UXBRIDGE thom for you "08h 7383 |" 527680 POR) PERRY STAR 985-7383 Science Fair winners at Epsom Public HELPFUL HINTS School were determined last week with these Remove chewing gum by pressing an ice cube against the gum until it becomes brittle and students now competing at competitions this week in Prince Albert. From left front: Paul Kett (junior), Christopher Vanden (primary), Jason Van Veghel (finalist). At breaks off. A spot ; + remover will remove the ~~ 0ack are finalists Wendy Evans, Alex last traces. hy Cranmer and Krista Barkey. T CC ANRENENNNNRNNENREEREEEEEEe-- The New Car Dealership with High Volurgg & Low Profit! B\ SE ~~ NESS NN NNN - SONAR Come in and make an offer, We Need Your Trade-In! -- TOP DOLLAR FOR YOUR TRADE-IN -- ® SERVICE ® LEASING ® PARTS e SALES SCUGOG CHRYSLER LTD. HWY. 7A-12 MANCHESTER 985-7354