The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-08
LETTER Of TAX BOARD
TOO LATE FOR SANDS
Omitted Properties We're Assessed
By Examiner Day Before Adverse
Notice Came.
WILL INVOLVE LITIGATION.
Corporations Chartered In Virginia
Assessed. and Taxes Extended--New
Law Would Exempt Property Not
Levied Before June III.

There is an interesting little mix
up between the state tax board and
Major William II Sands, examiner OF
records for the Richmond district. 1t
has to do with the assessment OF in
tangibles belonging to corporations
chartered in Virginia. but whose bust
ness is entirely conducted beyond the
limits of the state.
The examiner has put them on the
books for taxation. and out OF this
hangs story. Al the last session of
the legislature. an act was passed
that eliminated these Intangible as
sets from the taxable values of the
state This act not being an emery
ency act. does not take effect til June
q. l9lS
Following the spirit OF the law
makers. the tax board AT a meeting
held June 5, addressed the following
letter to the examiner.
Commonwealth OF Virginia. Office
OF state TaX Board Wednesday June
S. 1919 Hon. William II. Sands, ex-
eminer OF records. Richmond. Viz
g4nla. Dear Sir.--At a meeting OF
The state tax board. held Monday.
June 3. the matter of the taxation OF
Intangible property owned by cor
porations chartered under the laws
Of this state. but doing all of their
taken under consideration by the
board for the second time. The state
TAX beard instructs me TO furnish you
with the following extract from the
minutes of that meeting
This board first gave its attention
TO the matter OF taxation on intangible
personal property for 1915. owned by
corporations chartered under the laws
OF Virginia, wholly employed in bust
ness I'm other states, which did no part
OF their business within the state of
Virginia during that year. as the board
ut a pervious meeting. upon request
from Hon. William IL Sands, exanin-
er of records Of the Tenth judicial cir
cult, for instruction whether or not
such assessments should be made,
After further discussion and con-
sideration of the matter, upon motion
Of Hon. c, Lee Moore. auditor OF pub
lie accounts the secretary of the board
was directed to write Mr.. Sands re-
calling the instructions heretofore
given him to make these assessments
for 1918 and instructing him not to
make the assessments. the board be-
Ing of the opinion that the latest legis-
lation upon this subject clearly indi-
Gates the intention OF the general as
sembly to he that Intangible personal
property employed in other states by
corporations chartered under the laws
OF this state. which heretofore have
not done or which hereafter will do
no business in Virginia. are not sub
tect to assessment for either omitted
or current taxes. These minutes speak
for themselves. and you will accord
ingly be governed by the instructions
therein contained, Very truly yours.
Westmoreland Davis. chairman. c.
Lee Moore, secretary"
This letter reached Examiner
Sands on the morning OF June s, and
the assessment had been reported TO
the com missioner OF the revenue the
day before, who in turn had extended
II upon the tax books according to
law.
Lawyers representing various cor
porations are quite silent about the
matter, and are doubtless persuaded
that II will OF necessity find its way
through the courts. Certainly so far
as the examiner is concerned. he had
full authority by law to levy the as
sessmept so long as he acted prior to
the 2lst day of June. and the only
question that seems TO remain is what
effect will the attitude of the legisla-
ture have on the matter.
The omitted assessments placed
upon the books aggregate over $780,
1000. which will yield tax TO the
ptate OF Virginia OF more than 81
800, 900, and tax to Richmond of
nearly 100000