Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-03-16
DIFFICULT TO ESCAPE.
Paying Your Just Proportion Of Taxes
This Year.
HEAVY FINE OR IMPRISONMENT AWAITS
THE TAX DODCER.

The question OF the sworn statements
that each property owner In Michigan
Will be required 10 make this spring, AZ
provided by an amendment made 10 the
general tax law by the last Legislature,
having been the subject OF 30 much
newspaper discussion during the past
few weeks, the taxpayers will doubtless
be interested in statement OF just what
questions they will be required TO
answer under oath.
There has been prepared by Auditor
General Dix one general blank for the
statement of taxpayers III general, and
separate schedules covering the property
of the bankers and brokers, property OF
corporations, vessel and marine proper
ty. In addition TO these there Is state
ment for pawnbrokers TO subscribe to-
AS previously stated, the law requires
that the statement must be under oath.
Ii is also required that this statement
shall show whether such property Is
owned by the person making the state
ment, or held for the use OF another, and
il the latter. i'll what capacity II Is held.
A separate statement Is required FOR
each capacity in which one holds prop
erty.
The first schedule covers real property,
and sets forth the description, If farm,
the number of acres improved, and the
number and kinds of buildings thereon.
The personal property schedule covers
the following: All annuities and roy.
alties, number and value; deposits in
banks or trust companies (naming each),
amount, rate of interest and date; bonds,
amount, rate of interest and date; notes
unsecured by MOI tgage number amount,
70 of mr. "a ~ " =
give name of mortgagors), number,
amount, rate of interest and date; all
other credits or deposits.
The third schedule calls for descrip.
ton of all credits secured by real estate
mortgage on lands situated in some
other state, this calling for a description
Of each credit, the state in which the
land is situated, description Of the land
and rate Of interest.
All bona fide indebtedness is covered
by the next schedule. This requires an
itemized statement Of each item Of in.
debtedness, showing how secured and TO
whom owing, the residence OF each
creditor, the amount due each. This
detailed statement must be made If the
taxpayer desires 60 have this indebted
ness deducted from his credits.
The law Of 1899, under which the
sworn statement from taxpayers is made
imperative makes it the duty Of each
assessing officer, as soon as possible after
entering upon his duties, TO ascertain
the taxable property of his assessing dis.
trict, and the persons TO whom IL should
be assessed and their residences. For
this purpose he shall require every per.
son of full age and sound mind whom
he believes has property which is not
exempt from taxation, 10 make and
subscribe TO correct and true written
statement, under oath, administered by
such assessing officer or other person
authorized TO administer oaths, Of all
the taxable property OF such person, firm
or corporation, whether owned by him
or held for the use Of another.
II any person, or member OF any firm,
or officer Of q corporation shall refuse 70
make and deliver this sworn statement,
or shall swear falsely or refuse to answer
questions concerning his property, or
property under mis- control, he shall ne
deemed guilty OF "A misdemeanor, and
upon conviction shall be- imprisoned III
the county Jail for not less than 30 days
nor more than six months, or be fined
not less than 800 nor more than 81 900,
or both such fine and Imprisonment.