The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1908-07-29
FRANK B. HOWE, Editor and Publisher
Tax Commission Report


ported to the governor and the report
has been printed, making a volume of
over 100 pages. The commission is
composed of o. NJ. Barber of Benning.
ton, John II. Senter of Montpelier.
George w. Pierce of Brattleboro.
Leighton p. Slack OF st. Johnsbury,
Ernest Hitchcock of Pittsford and A.
Allyn Olmsted of Newbury. These
men, half of them Republicans and
half Democrats, have devoted a great
deal of time and study to the prob
lens of taxation and the report should
be In the hands of every voter. A
copy can be procured by anybody by
writing the st. Adams Messenger
where It was printed.
The report is too long for a small
paper like the Banner to print in full
in any one issue but we will print II
later on the installment plan and be-
low we give an abstract of some of
the more important features.
The report contains a brief history
.of taxation in Vermont up to 1880
when the tax laws now In force were
In substance enacted
Under the heading of administra-
tive evils the report marshals numer-
Gus facts demonstrating that there
ARE frequent and fragrant violations of
the law by both listers and taxpayers;
that less than three per cent of all the
inventories on file are filled out as re-
quired by law; that many taxpayers
file no inventories; and that If the
law were enforced that imposes a pen
Ialty OF 5000 upon lister for accepting
an inventory not properly made out.
the forfettures thus incurred would in
1907 be over $4,000, 600.
1t is shown that real estate Is now
appraised on the average throughout
tho state at not more than seventy per
cent, of its value, instead of at its true
value as required by law; and that as
result the state school and state high
way taxes yield in the aggregate 49,
900 less than would be received If the
law were complied with AS to per-
sonal property the conditions are
even worse.
The experience of other states on
this subject is briefly given.
The creation OF state tax commits.
sion of three members is recommend.
ed, of which the commissioner of
state taxes for the time being shall
| be chairman.
This tax commission to have con-
| troll of all administrative matters re-
lating to taxation for state purposes.
with supervisory powers over the lis
tiers, with authority to equalize their
appraisals. This commission also TO
have power to appraise the stock and
bonds of domestic corporations which
are now appraised by the listers, and
In addition to be charged with the
duty OF formulating blank inventories
for the use of the taxpayers. The re
port finds that the law regulating the
appraisal OF stock in domestic corpor
atoms is practically imperative, and
that such stock largely escapes taxa
ton.
As designed to produce an improved
local administration of the law il Is
recommended:
That the listers be elected for q
term of three years and by ballot.
That separate appraisals be mad,
of land and of buildings thereon. as
tending to promote legal and uniform
appraisals.
That the individual inventories o
the taxpayers be filed for public in
spection before the completion of tn,
grand list
That the taxpayers be compelled I,
return their inventories on or befor,
the tenth day of April annually ant
that failure so to do be punished b,
doubling and assessing substantial,
as the law now provides.
That the listers be given authorit,
to subpoena witnesses upon the ques
ton of whether any taxpayer ha
made complete inventory of hi
| taxable estate.
| That the discount for payment O
local taxes be abolished, that all tax
! es be paid in full on or before a da,
liked and that an interest penalty b.
added for delays in payment
TO ascertain the value of eXemp
real estate It is advised that the sam,
be appraised at the next quadrennia
appraisal.
The question of double taxation i
fully discussed In the report. 1t i
pointed out that the popular concer
ton limiting 1t 70 the taxation o
property of debtor and of the loal
, made to him where that loan is sc
cured by mortgage is an error; tina
so-called double taxation exists, an
the same injustice results therefron
whenever credits of any nature ar
taxed without being Offset agains
tangible property of debtors.
The report finds that two suppose
remedies are frequently suggested /
this state, viz: To tax the mortgi
gees interest as real estate, his cree
1t to be otherwise untaxed and Tn
mortgagor to be taxed on his equit
only; to exempt from taxation NOR
gagged loans bearing interest at a spe
flied rate or less.
These propositions are CAREFUL
analysed and It is shown that the
would fail to relieve the debtor elias
and would probably introduce create
= evils than now exist.
= Only two complete remedies, It
stated can be suggested: to tax on
tangible property: to allow offse
against all property both real and p,
sonal. Both of these propositions al
condemned.
| Certain important facts are state
| which show that the evils resultir
from this phase of our taxation sly
tenn are exaggerated
IL is also shown that the farm
suffers a far greater injustice throul
the escape of large amounts of pc
sonal property, both tangible and |
tangible, of other taxpayers by frau
ulent Offset, under appraisal, concei
ment and evasion. These evils It
hoped will be largely diminished