Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-03-29

LISTING PERSONAL fROPHRTY-hIkf8 TO
TAx-PkYERs FROM HowARD MATTHEWS
The following communication, from the pen
of Howard Matthews, the Auditor Of Hamil-
ton County, will doubtless be read with in
terest by every taxpayer. IL contains some
valuable hints upon the sHhjects Of the selec-
tion OF assessors; an office, for which UNI
suitable persons are almost always elected,
and the suggestions herein offered seem TO be
at least worthy Of consideration: t1l
To ne Editors Of hs Cincinnati Daily Prtss'
"GENTLEMEY: desire to occupy a brief
space in your columns, to give to the public
a few practical hints in reference to the list
ing Of personal property. under the law, and
thereby endeavor 10 save them much Of the
annoyance and pecuniary loss to which they
are sometimes subjected from an imperfect
knowledge of their duties.
1.-THE time is close at hand when our citi-
Lens will be waited upon by the assessors Of
personal property to make up their statements,
and it would be well for the community If
competent men were selected. Every citi-
zen will be furnished with ablank statement
| particularly specifying the manner Of CLASH
| Tying the different kinds Of personal property.
This statement must be filed up and sworn
to, either before the assessor, a justice of
the peace, or some one authorized to admin
| lister an oath, and if not called for by the
assessor before the second Monday Of May,
should be sent to the Auditors Office, to be
placed on file. .... ...
''The law requires every man to make a
sworn statement and If from neglect or any
other cause this should not be done, the
presumption of law would be that he re-
fuses to swear, and a penalty of fifty per
cent. attaches to the amount that may after
ward be affixed by the assessor. The asses
sors, moreover, have a limited time to per-
form their duties, and frequently hurry
through their work in very careless and
imperfect manner. They have statement,
and if the party should neglect to complete
it and have il ready the first time 1t is
called for by them, they return the party as
having refused to list to which the law
afixes q penalty Of fifty per cent. on the
assessors figures | say this is sometimes
the case although there are many assessors
who have not been guilty Of the practice
1t is alluded to, however, to show the i'm
portance on the part of individuals in know
ing that their sworn statements are filed
with the Auditor. ~
"Parties have right to deduct the amount
of $50 from the seventh item in the state
ment, (which includes household furniture,
and if there are debts, they may be de-
Quoted from the Credits but not from mon
eys or any other species of personal property
"The tax law defines personal property
TO be every tangible thing, being the subjec
of ownership, whether animate or inanimate
other than money, and not forming part o
any parcel of real property and the capita
stock of all incorporated companies. Th'
term money means gold, silver and bank
notes, or deposits in bank or with individuals
payable on demand.
The term credit means the excess of tn
sum of all legal demand, whether for none.
or other valuable thing, or for labor or servic
due or to become due, including all deposit
in banks or elsewhere not payable on de
Misunderstanding each claim at its true valu
in money-over and above the sum of lega
bona fde debts But in making up the sur
of debts obligations given toany insurance Q
other company, or unpaid subscriptions
any company, or subscriptions to any re
ligious, scientific literary or charitable pun
pose, or obligation, not founded on
consideration, shall not be included
Personal property of every description
to be listed at the usual selling pric
of similar property at the time {
listing, but If there is no selling priC
known to the party listing, then such price
, to be fixed as is believed could be obtaine
therefor in mopey; but the price which
would bring az auction or at forced sale
no criterion. ALI Investments in stock
bonds, &C., to be listed at their cash valu'
All credits for sum certain payable efhe
: in money, property of any kind, labor or SCI
, vice, to be valued at the full price. Annu
ties or moneys receivable at stated periot
are to be valued at the price which the pc
son listing believes them to be worth
, money. Persons residing in this Stale an
having money at interest in another Stat
3 are required to list the same for taxation her
| "But the space usually attached to a new
} paper article forbids my enlarging. on tn
} subject; and would say, in conclusion, thu
if any party should be at a loss as TO his dut
: under the law, in making up his statemen
/ and should desire information on the subjec
shall be happy at all times to respond, o
, application to me at the Auditors Office.
I - ...,-.... "H0WARD MATTHEW'S,
: '.''---.-- auditor of Hamilton County.
. | uNIo,oI, 90 IoenU Il. ............'