Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-26


has issued an important digest OF deci-
sions which he has recently rendered
under the war revenue stamp bill. The
digest Is in the form OF r circular, which
is issued for the benefit OF revenue OH
GERS and the public. The answers not
only give the affirmative decisions rer-
dered by the commissioner, but many
negative decisions. with their reasons,
are also given. Many decisions which
have not been hitherto accessible are
given.
Here are some OF the decisions which
are Of general interest:
A person has TO place stamp on an
order for cash drawn on merchant by
one of his customers.
Certificates Of deposit drawing inter-
est, IL left n certain time, are taxable
the same ss promissory notes.
The withdrawal Of funds by depositor
on the presentation Of his deposit book
al the savings bank does not require q
stamp IL there Is nothing accompanying
IL Ia the shape Of an order for money.
Receipts given for the withdrawal OF
savings sccount do not require stamp.
Real estate mortgage notes require TO
be stamped In addition TO the stamp
placed on the mortgage.
In cases OF loans on real estate, where
promissory notes are given, which are
not paid at maturity, but on which an
extension Of time Is granted, without
the taking of new note, IL Is held that
every such extension IL n renewal OF the
note within the meaning OF the statute
and that the requisite stamp must be
sifixed for every such renewal or ex-
tension.
All checks drawn By officers Of states,
counties and municipalities for the dis
charge OF the obligations OF the states,
counties and municipalities are exempt
from stamp taxes.
The person who signs and issues a
bal nix check wiihou, sfiixing the proper
stamp becomes involved in liability un-
less il IL shown that he had no design To
evade the payment Of the stamp tax, and
that the stamp WAS affixed and Cancelled
at the bank before payment.
A bank NAV remedy the defect OF an
uustamped check by affixing the stamp
itself; otherwise IL becomes liable 70 the
penalty under the law.
Bucket shop proprietors giving memo
randa Of transactions are required 70
paw special tax as brokers.
The exemption granted TO co-opera-
tive building and loan associations Il
confined 10 the stock and bonds issued
by the associations, and does not relieve
them from other stamp taxes.
The ordinary notaries jurat Is not re
Quired TO be signed.
| Certificates of death, marriage and
birth given in pursuance OF the laws OIL
the state requiring the collection OF Vita
statistics as n basis Of the administration
Of the public health laws. come within
the exemption OF section IL.
The term certificates Of any descrip-
ton not otherwise specified in this act
but which are required by law" hal
caused more inquiries than any othel
one matter. Ii Is ruled that In order tf
subject any given certificate TO tax i
must be u certificate required by some
municipal, state or national law. Certi
ficates In the exercise Of state, municipal
or governmental functions are exempt
but when an officer gives certificate OF
his own private business II Is subject Il
tax.
Baggage forwarded by railroad com
pany or express, subject to extra charges
comes within the law requiring q stamI
on bill of lading.
Deeds signed, acknowledged and full!
executed in June do not require staml
even though delivered In July.
As TO mortgages, II is the genera
principle that = mortgage Is not vali'
unless admitted to registration. n
mortgage should be admitted to regis
tration without the proper stamp affixed
A policy Of insurance does not requir
the stamp until ii is issued, or Is ofiere
as an insurance policy. The locs
agent can sffix the stamp when tn
policy Is presented to the customer jus
as well as the general agent. A STAN
. must be attached to premium notes
well as to policies.
. Only purely cooperative or mutus
. fire insurance companies carried on b
! the members for the protection Of the
D own property and not for profit Al
. exempt from taxation. AssessmeL
e beneficiary life associations insurin
l their own members and not for prot
9 come within the exemption provision
e Exemption given to fraternal beneficisr
q life associations applies also to fratern,
:, beneficiary accident associations.
6 An original lease requires staml
5 No stamp Is required for copies Of Il
o lease issued at the same time as Il
o lease.
y Reports Of earnings and dividends
8 not require stamps.
y Bonds given by persons appointed
+ the court, such as gusrdisns, receiver
!. assignees, executors, are taxable.
= There is no tax on the bill OF sale OF
q vessel.
. In regard to the cancellation Of stamp
b which Is required by law, 1t 10 held ID
10 cancellation by initials and the date
. sufficient. This cancellation may DO
n writing or imprinting with hand STAN
d Old stamps issued under repealed &C
T. cannot be used In lieu Of clamps
ouirod by the present law.