Tax

In January, the Republican Party swept the West Deptford Township Committee, gaining control after last year's election with a 4-1 majority. Committee members elected Frederick R. Marz, the first Republican mayor in 20 years. Marz is up for re-election to council this year, and he is the first to concede that this year has not been easy, even with the large Republican majority on the committee. First, there was the tax increase, then came the battle over the Verga Fire Company, a dispute that for months refused to be resolved and still is unsettled.

President Clinton yesterday sent to Congress, and to an apparently bleak fate, his bills to increase the minimum wage and to lower middle-class taxes. He also used an Oval Office ceremony to announce plans for a new domestic economic conference and to assail Republicans for "digging the country into a hole" and then criticizing his budget. "It is time for them to take a little responsibility. They were here during the years of the '80s when we created this deficit problem," Clinton said.

Trying to be a kinder, gentler Internal Revenue Service, agency staffers were at the Market Street East Station yesterday afternoon to distribute copies of tax booklets to commuters and to answer taxing questions. At left, IRS worker Gene Harris extends a helping hand, while Michael Miller (center, bottom photo) does the same.

A PHILADELPHIA police officer who has been the subject of two investigations by the District Attorney's Office could be disciplined, even fired, for an alleged tax scam. Elaine P. Thomas, 41, a 15-year police veteran, will go before a police board of inquiry next week on allegations that she falsely claimed in signed court documents in six real-estate transactions that she was related by blood to people who were listed as the sellers. Thomas allegedly made these claims when buying homes to avoid paying real-estate taxes.

Tax increases ranging from an estimated 8 cents to 15 cents would be levied on taxpayers in the Eastern Regional School District if voters approved an $18.5 million bond issue, according to figures presented by the school board at a public hearing last night. The bond issue is being proposed to build a 168,000-square-foot addition to the high school. School board members said the addition would be used as an intermediate high school for ninth and tenth graders, while the existing building would be used primarily for 11th and 12th graders.

Stark differences on taxes dominated the first debate - a radio encounter - between Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick and Democratic challenger Kathy Boockvar Thursday, as the two clashed over their plans and how they would affect the middle class. Fitzpatrick called for leaving all personal tax rates at their current levels and cutting corporate rates, saying any tax hikes would harm the fragile economy. "We need to stop threatening to raise taxes on the American people and small businesses," Fitzpatrick said.

MAYOR NUTTER HAS talked a good game about cracking down on property-tax deadbeats. At a recent news conference, he said, "We're going to chase their little asses down as hard as possible!" According to our analysis of records obtained through a right-to-know request, though, more than 1,700 tax delinquents are getting breaks on their local property taxes. In some cases, the city has the power to revoke those tax goodies - but often doesn't. This year, those delinquents are reaping $15.1 million in property-tax breaks, which include both abatements and nonprofit exemptions.

Last week's apparent outbreak of amity among city leaders over school funding makes it seem more likely - though by no means certain - that City Council will finally pass a modest "cocktail tax. " This 10 percent tax on drinks sold in bars and restaurants won't by itself solve the schools' funding problems, but it is now a crucial component in the package put together to cover the school district's projected deficit by Mayor Rendell, the school...

In a vote that surprised billionaire Wayne Huizenga's lobbying team, the Florida House yesterday killed a $60 million tax break for the Miami Dolphins' Pro Player Stadium. "It's a new day in Florida politics," said Rep. Luis Rojas (R-Hialeah), one of the architects of the tax break's demise. The bill was defeated, 61-50, and then killed irrevocably when a procedural move to revive it died on a 55-55 tie. Ron Book, Huizenga's lead lobbyist, pleaded with the bill's sponsors, but conceded that the fight was over.

Jules Link shrugs off his recent loss in Montgomery County District Court as "just a little skirmish in a bigger war. " "If they think this is the end of Jules Link, they are sadly mistaken," said the Wyncote man who has hounded Cheltenham Township officials for almost three years about the way the local business privilege tax is collected. On Feb. 14, District Justice Michael Richman of Elkins Park ruled that Link must pay the tax on a commercial property he owns at 500 Township Line Rd. in Cheltenham.