Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: taxes

In commemoration of Tax Day in the U.S., here's some humor from the time when photocopiers and fax machines were used to share jokes. Simplified 1040 Latest revision for 1040 Federal Income Tax Form. Department of the Internal Revenue Service 07. 19_____. Your Social Security Number ________. Part 1: Income 1. How much money did you make last year? ________ 2. Send it in ________

This comic postcard, which was postmarked in Oswego, N.Y., on August 27, 1932, reveals that frustration with the complexity of income tax in the United States is nothing new. In fact, this amusing account of how to calculate your tax was circulating in magazines and newspapers as early as 1919. For one example, see " It's Easy ," published in the Santa Fe Magazine , August 1919, p. 58. Take My Advice–The Next Time You Make Out Your Income Tax Report It can be easily done by observing these simple rules. It may be worked out by algebra, astronomy, trigonometry, or syntax and then your answer may be correct or it may not be. If your income is $2,400.00 a year and [you have] a diamond ring or an automobile and you are married to a brunette girl, 26 years of age, you take the amount of the income and add your personal property, subtract your street number, multiply by your wife's height, and divide by your telephone number. If you have a child in the family, you subtract $200.00 from your income, add your collar size, add the child's age, multiply by your waist measure, subtract the amount of funds you have given to the church in the past year, and then divide by the number of your automobile license. If there is a second child you deduct $400.00 from your income tax, add the weight and age of the child, and divide by the date of your birth, multiply by the size of your hat, and subtract the weight of your mother-in-law. After you have it all figured out you won't have to pay any tax of any nature, for they will have you in the booby hatch and strapped down.

"Tax Paid Stamp for Uncolored Oleomargarine, Series of 1931. 12 oleomargarine. Acts Aug. 2, 1886, May 9, 1902, and March 4, 1931. Tax one-fourth cent per lb. United States Internal Revenue."

"Western Union Telegraph Company, 1906, complimentary, frank no. 234D. R. C. Clowry, president. [International Bank] Note Co., New York."

"Playing Cards, 1 Pack, U.S. Int. Rev. A.P.C. Co." Revenue stamps used to indicate payment of fees or taxes on playing cards, oleomargarine, and photographs, plus a telegraph stamp used to pay for a telegram (see above and below).

"Risbon Roller Rink, Cypher Beach, Hopewell, Pa., R.R No. 2. Good only on date sold. Admit one, est. price .29, fed. tax. .06. 35 cents. 018948. 018949."

See also the front of this pass (below). "I hereby accept this free ticket, and assume all risks of accidents, losses and injuries, both to person and property, on the route of this Company, while using it whether occasioned by negligence of its agents or otherwise." "This ticket is invalid unless signed by the individual named thereon, and, if presented by any other person, is to be taken up by the Clerk."

See also the back of this pass (below). "New Jersey Steamboat Company. 1870 Season. People's Line. Not transferable. New York, April 5, 1870. Pass [W. J. Pierrepout & J. Bredt?]. Rome, Watertown, and Ogdensburgh R.R. Subject to the conditions on the back hereof. No. Rgd. Jno. C. Hewitt, G.T.A." John C. Hewitt was a general ticket agent for People's Line Steamers.

Wertley's Ice Cream tags with prices that reflect the tax that was assessed during World War I.

Stevens Bros. Circus Special Permit This permit entitles holder to kiss the big elephant's ass. Matinee performance only. Subject to federal tax. Issued by ________. Stevens Bros. Circus. An advertisement that appeared in the Circus Report , June 26, 1976 , p. 17, suggests how humorous permit cards like this may have been used: "Moochers Circus Pass. A few years back all billers and lithographers ahead of a circus carried these moocher passes for those 'pain in the neck' yahoos they ran into each day. They were also great to bring 'know-it-alls' down a peg. If you never saw one of these gems, they read 'Circus pass entitles the holder to Kiss the Great Big Elephant, etc. etc.' Nice business card stock, just a small supply."

"Rehn & Sons' new & commodious ground floor galleries, 510 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Portraits, card, ivorytypes, ambrotypes, photographs, in crayon, pastel, water, and oil." The U.S. Internal Revenue stamp on this CDV backmark dates it to between August 1, 1864, and August 1, 1866. Another Rehn and Sons backmark , which is part of Richard D. Sheaff's amazing collection , has an added border and a handwritten date of March 1866.