The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-31
no rAx LIsrEns.
The Corpsration Commission Issues
. Letter Calling the Assessors' At
tention to heir Duties Under the
Revenue Act OF the Last Lexfslaeure.

The corporation commission issues
a long letter to the state tar listers in
structing them as to their duties under
the new revenue law. We publish be-
low the sections OF the letter Of inter-
] est to the tax PAYERS.
The enc aimed at by the tax law is
TO nave ali polls and all property sub
ject to taxation placed upon the tax
duplicates, and to have all property as
sessed at its true value in money. II
is committed to the tax lister of the
state to make a tax list representing
by far the greater part Of the property
of the state aud the value OF such
property, so that from this tax list the
tax duplicates can be made and the
amount of due from Zach tax
payer computed. You will see at once
the great Importance attached to your
office.
1t is easy enough to raise revenue
sufficient to defray the expense of the
Svernment. but to raise it in such way
aat all property shall bear its pro-
portionate part is a delicate and diff
fcult task. This cannot be accomplish
ed without you discharge your duties
bravely. intelligently n wisely. All
property subject to taxation must be
placed on the tax list at its true value
in money. 1t has been claimed that
! there is a rule in North Carolina
among assessors and tax listers to in
t~entionally under-value property, and
instead of putting it on the tax list at
it's true value in money, to assess 1t
It two-thirds or three-fourths of its
Value. This is a remarkable conten-
ION in view of the tax laws that have
listed in North Carolina for the past
fifteen years; but if such rule ever did
Exist in the state or in any part OF 1t,
| there can be no excuse for it in the fu-
ture.
You are differentiated from all other
sficers in that while they are only re-
n1ired to take one oath of office, You
I are required to take two; one before
on begin your duties, that you Will
discharge them faithfully; n another,
when you have finished, that you have
discharged them faithfully and as the
law required. In addition to these
oaths. it is made a crime for You to fail
. do certain things. as required by
Jaw. in the line of these duties. In TINS
connection your is called 10
section 90 of the machinery act, which
imposes duties and penalties on the
tax payer. and which is as follows:
ANY person. firm or corporation IN
this state owning or holding personal
property of any nature or description,
Individually or as agents, trustee, guar
dian administrator, executor, assignee
or receiver, which property is suoJect
to assessment. who shall Intentionally
make a false statement to the assessor
of his assessment district, or 10 tne
hoard of equalization thereof for the
purpose of avoiding the payment of the
lust and propOrtiOnate taxes thereon,
shall forfeit the sum of ten dollars Tor
every hundred dollars or major fractlon
thereof so withheld from the knowi-
edge Of such assessor or board Of equal
ization. 1t is hereby made a duty or
the sheriff of n county, upon COM
pIaint made to him by any tax payer
of the assessment district in which 1t
is alleged that property has Deen SO
withheld from the knowledge OF the
assessor or board of equalization, or not
included in the said statement, TO IN
vestigate the case forthwith and bring
an action in the superior court In the
name of the state against the person
so complained of. All forfeitures col
lected under the provisions of this sec
ton shall be paid into the county
treasury"
What is market value or true
valued" This is defined in section 10 OF
the machinery act in language too plain
10 be mistaken. and is as follows:
THE intent and purpose Of the tax
laws of this state is 70 ave all prop
city d1lu bJS III
assessed at the value which would be
realized therefrom by cash sale, in
such manner as such property and SUD-
,ects are usually sold. but not by forced
ale thereof, and the words market
value or true value when used IN
fine tax laws shall be held and deeT
to mean what the property and sub
lects would bring at a cash sale when
old in such as such property
and subjects are usually sold.'
See to it then that all property, which
IS required to be listed before you, shall
be placed on the tax list at it's true
value in money. AS was stated above,
this is by far the greater part of all
the property in your township, n
may in general terms be stated to be
all real n personal property as fol-
lows: () The quantity Of land owned
described by name. if it has one. other
wise in such a way that it may be
identified. CD The number of horses
mules, jacks n jennies in one column;
goats, cattle, hogs, and sheep in another
column. 60 Farming utensils, tools
Of mechanics. household and Kitchen
furniture, provisions. firearms, libra
ries and scientific instruments, specify
ing the articles separately. ca Money
on hand. 60 The amount of credits, in
Guiding accrued interest uncollected
owing to the party, whether by a per-
son IN or out OIL the STATE. WIStISi wv
ing by mortgage, bond. note. bill of
exchange, certificate, check, open &C
count, or due and payable, whether ow-
ing by any state government, county,
city or township, individual, company
or corporation. The value of cotton.
tobacco or other property in the hands
of commission merchants or agents in
or out of the state shall be deemed
credits within the meaning of this act.
If any credit be not regarded as entire
ly solvent, claim for deduction may be
made. and, if allowed by the tax lister,
shall be deducted from the total amount
listed in the same manner as provided
for the deduction Of property exempt
from taxation. co. Any certificate OF
deposit in any bank. whether in or out
of the state. CD Money investments.
stocks and bonds, and shares Of stock
in corporated companies, which are not
taxed through the corporation itself.
(S) All other personal property what
zx,a~ inn1p6in~ oil aoffnn IN coed nr