Taxing Territorials

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 13

Taxing Territorials

Sir, —As a territorial at present in camp,’ I am very concerned about future payments of income, social security and national security taxes. We have just been advised that as the territorials are only in camp for three months, it does not seem worth while to exempt their pay from income tax (or from the 5/- a quarter social security levy). First of all, let me say that mtrnj of us will be in camp for six mouths continuous training at least, and perhaps longer. Many of us have had to leave our businesses, wives and families at short notice. We do not complain about these sacrifices in the least, but we do consider we should 'be placed on the same footing with regard to exemption from income tax on our military pay as the Expeditionary I‘orcein niy own case I have just receiver an income tax demand for about £BO payable next February. I also na\e to pay about £5O in the next nine months in social security and nationm security tax on my income earned up to March 31 last. My military pay is considerably less than my income wa> from my business and yet I will nav<to P.tv all these taxes out of my military pay and also support a wife ami family and keep my home going. In addition, according to the present ruling, I will have to pay income tax on my military pay. It seems only fair, and reasonable that those of us serving in the territorials for six months should be exempted from income tax on our militar} pay and also from national security lax instalments payable on last year s m come and falling'duo while in camp.--I am, etc., TERRITORIAL. Wellington. August 22.