Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1908-08-05
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE
The report contains brief history
of taxation in Vermont up to 1880
when the tax laws now in force were
in substance enacted.
t Under the heading of administrative
evils the report marshals numerous
facts demonstrati ting that there are fire.
ouent and fragrant violations of the
law by both listers and taxpayers that
| less than three per cent of all the in
ventories 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 penalty
of 5000 upon a lister for accepting an
inventory not properly made out. the
forfeitures thus incurred would in 1907
be over $40, 900, 900.
It is shown that real estate is now
appraised on the average throughout
the state at not more than 70 per
cent of it's value, instead of at its true
value as required by law; and that as
a result the state school and highway
taxes yield in the aggregate SIS, 900
less than would be received if the
law were properly complied with. AS
to personal property the conditions are
even worse.
The experience of other states is
briefly given.
The creation of a state tax commits
sion of three members is recommend
ed, of which the commissioner of state
taxes for the time being shall be chair
man.
This tax commission to have control
of all administrative matters relating
to taxation for state purposes, with
supervisory powers over the listers.
with authority to equalize their ap-
praisals. This commission also to have
power to appraise the stock and bonds
of domestic corporations which are now
appraised by the listers, and in addi-
ton to be charged with the duty OF
formulating blank inventories for the
use of the taxpayers. The report finds
that the law regulating the appraisal
of stock in domestic corporations is
practically imperative, and that such
stock largely escapes taxation.
AS designed to produce an improved
local administration of the law 1t is
recommended:
That listers be elected for a term OF
three years and by ballot.
That separate appraisals be made OF
land and of buildings thereon, as tend
ing to promote legal and uniform ap-
praisals.
That the " i d u a | inv e n
tories of the taxpayers be filed Tor
public Inspection before the completion
of the grand list.
That the taxpayers be compelled to
return their inventories on or before
the tenth day of April annually and
that failure to do so be punished by
doubling and assessing substantially as
the law now provides.
That the listers be given authority
to subpoena witnesses upon the ques-
ton of whether any taxpayer has made
a complete inventory of his taxable
estate.
That the discount for payment of To-
cal taxes be abolished, that all taxes
be paid in full on or before a day fixed
and that an interest penalty be added
for delays in payment.
To ascertain the value of exempt
real estate it is advised that the same
be appraised at the next quadrennla
appraisal.
The question of double taxation is
fully discussed in the report. 1t is
pointed out that the popular concep
ton limiting it to the taxation of prop
erty of a debtor and of the loan made
) to him where that loan is secured by
: mortgage is an error that so-calle(
double taxation exists, and the same
injustice results therefrom, wheneve,
credits of any nature are taxed with
out being Offset against tangible prop
erty of debtors.
The report finds that two supposed
! =,
this state, viz To tax the mortgagee'
interest as real estate. his credit to b.
! otherwise untaXed, and the mortgage
. to be taxed on his equity only; to ex
empt from taxation mortgaged loan
E bearing interest at a specified rate O
9 less.
These propositions are carefully anal
$ yzed and it is shown that they woul'
a fail to relieve the debtor class AM
9 would probably introduce greater evil
+ than now exist.
d Only two complete remedies. it i
stated, can be suggested: to tax onl
s tangible property: to allow offset
d against all property both real and per
sonal. Both of these propositions ar
>. condemned. !
Certain important facts are state
which show that the evils resultin
from this phase of our taxation sys
tenn are exaggerated.
1t is also shown that the farmer sui
fers far greater injustice through tn
" escape of large amounts of person:
Ct property. both tangible and intang
(, bic, Of other taxpayers by frauduler
u, offset, under appraisal, concealmer
Ct and evasion. These evils it is hope
e. e. will be largely diminished if the re-
IN concentrations of the commission a,
ID adopted. AS a result the grand Iii
y will be greatly increased and the raj
of of local taxation reduced. This redu
id ton will bring substantial relief to a
III who are now paying on all their ia:
". able property.