Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-09-23
STATE TAX BOARD Makes
ANSWER TO CRITICISMS
Shows That Enormous sum. Are
Being Recovered for State
by Its Efforts.
EXPENSES ARE vEEY SMALL
Judgment in One Contested Case VIII
More Than Cover All Costs fer
Next -Four Eears-AIany Other
Cases Are Pending.

Charging that criticisms OF the state
government for putting into operation
additional machinery for tho proper
administration Of the tax laws OF Vir-
GINA arise from persons who have not
heretofore reported any property for
taxation. and who. by more forceful
administration of the law have been
compelled to pay taxes not paid in
former years. IN. state Tax Board yes
terday issued sharp reply 10 srric-
lures OF persons disposed 70 criticize
those responsible for the new tax laws
and their enforcement.
The statement follows:
As the Republicans in the State
campaign have been criticizing the
state administration. particularly The
administration OF ihe new tax laws.
and claim that n great number or
unnecessary Offices have been created
and q large amount Of money useloSsiy
expended IN connection with tho coll
lection Of taxes. it is interesting t.
observe what has been The effect of the
new tax laws which were enacted part
~ in the special session of 1915 and
partly in tho regular session OF 1916.
AN answer TO sore of these criticisms
is contained in bulletin recently is
sued by The state Tax Board. hu, thcre
are certain other facts and circum-
stances worthy OF notice not contained
in said bulletin.
II is very we'll known that the ac-
t!vity OF the state Tax Board working
through the Examiners Of Records has
brought into the State treasury large
SUMS OF money which were paid on
omitted taxes. For example, from ono
4,
ready been paid into the treasury.
REVENUE FROM INTANGInLEs
IS MORE THAN DOUBLE
AS II result OF the new tax system
and more ciiicient administration Of the
laws. the revenue on intangible per-
sonal property increased from Sjll.79l
in 1914, 10 Sl.259.546 in 1915. an in
crease of over li5 per cent. In addi-
ton TO the above large increase there
was put on the assessment rolls dur
ing 1915 property which will bring
more than 100000 in revenue which
had been omitted for years prior to
1915
In addition, judgments have been en-
tered in various cases for a large
amount OF taxes, which viii ultimately
be realized by the Stale In Salem a
5000. which will ultimately lead TO the
recovery of TWO years additional taxes.
making $4,000 In that case In the
Circuit Court Of Campbell County judg-
ment has been procured for Sl7,5OU,
with interest and penalty, bringing the
amount to over S21.0O0 In one case
in Alexandria City the state Will pro-
cure the sum OF Sj,6S3. and In other
cases in which counsel for the State
Tax Board has appeared various judg-
ments have been rendered the State,
aggrcgatinG about $4,000. In addition
TO these cases. which have been sue
cessfully carried to Il conclusion. there
are on the docket in the different courts
OF the Common wealth other cases in
volving large sums In the Circuit
Court of williamsburg counsel for the
state Tax Board confidently expects 10
recover Judgment in favor OF the state
for a sum over 100000, and in some
other cases negotiations leading to n
conclusion of litigation will bring TO
the State large sums of money. 1t is
to he remembered that i'm all OF the
above cases larger sums are involved
for the counties. cities and towns, and
the local levies for which judgments
have been procured will greatly exceed
the amounts involved for the state
COLLECTED PAY
ALI. EXPENSES FOR FO.R WEARS
SO far as the criticism of increased
expenses to collect taxes is concerned.
ii Will he noted that I'm contested cases
iud dgrnents have been procured for moro
than $4,000, which viii pay tho annual
for the expenses OF the
state Tax BDa"d for four years This
leaves out Of view the increased amount
of taxes put upon the assessment rolls
by the direct supervision OF the State
Tax Board. So far as the fees OF eX
aminers of records are concerned. it is
sufficient to say that these fees are but
a small percentage OF the amount
actually turned into the Treasury as
CONTINUED on Second Page)