Wooden Leg, False Teeth Are Taxable

1920

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The cost of wooden legs or false teeth may not be deducted form the gross income in making out Federal income tax returns. This was the ruling of deputies in the income tax office. A man wanted to deduct the cost of a wooden leg, and a woman thought she would be permitted to deduct the cost of a new set of false teeth. Neither deduction was permitted.

When a north St. Louis business man made his return for this year he was questioned about his return for the year before. When asked why his tax return showed a smaller income from his business than did a statement he made to a bank when seeking a loan, he replied:

"A bank statement is one thing and a tax return is something entirely different."

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, March 27, 1920, page 5.