Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-09
MUST ASSESS LAND
AT MARKET VALUES
State Tax Board, Headed by
Governor Davis, Issues
New Instructions.
MEANS INCREASE IN REVENUE
differentiation of Property Said
to Be Responsible for Special
Taxation Legislation
MEANS INCREASE IN REVENUE

Virginia land assessors will be spe-
cihcanv instructed by district judges
70 make their assessments at fair mar
kc. value instead of on a minimum ap-
2raiscment, il the request made yester-
day by the Virginia State Tax Board
Is carried out. In 4 letter signed by
Governor Davis TO all district judges
of the State, who have the authority
in appointing land assessors, the State
Tax Board points out that the Com
moh"ea!th's shortage OF revenue which
mas required special taxation TO pro-
vide for road building and other pur-
Of real estate by assessors.
Experts VINO have been studying the
assessment question, are of the opinion
that assessment of land at fair mar
ket value throughout the State OF VIZ
or dollars TO the commemorative an
nual revenue and do much to prohibit
special taxation and other methods
TO carry out necessary development
programs.
Sends Letter to Judges.
,,,J The iet.teE ss :> to al, the district
The General Assembly Is of virginia
T T1;s s4Tfeds "a, at the regular session Of
1919. TO levy special taxes upon all
classes Of .propsrty within the juris.
to raise sufficient revenue to meet the
increased demand upon the State
Treasury occasioned ny the abnormal
provcmcnt and construction in carry
ing, out the state highway. program
have arisen in connection with the
maintenance and Improvement OF the
public school system; These deman DIS
appears inevitable that these special
a n w haze to be Supplemented
The discussions and proceedings of
the General Assembly DURING the re-
cent extra session bore strong evil
these special taxes were .necessitnted
to some extent because of the under
valuation of real estate adopted in
making assessments throughout the
state. and that in view of this under
valuation real estate is not bearing
ITS It's prop ,, share Of the burden
property, and that uniformity and
equality in taxation is being thereby
destroyed. This sentimen. is founde Il
on what appears TO he generals,
provision requiring that all assess
ments OF real estate shall be. at their
.a!r market value is not enforced in
any part of the State.
wnpt Specific Ruling.
TN view OF The fact that the time
Is almost At hand for the appoint
ment OF land assessors, as prescribed
in section 437 OF the Code. for the
state Tax Board feels that it should
bring this Information to your atten-
tion for the purpose OF emphasizing the
far-rcaching effects of these appoint
Inents upon the tax system OF the
state. and the Importance of the work
which these appointees will be re-
quired to perform
The board is persuaded that the
object desired can be attained only
by the cooperation of the judges OF
the courts, upon whom devolvcs the
duty of appointing the land assessors.
and 1t respectfully requests that after
your appointments have been made
YOU call ;he appointees before you in
open court and charge them specif-
cally TO make their assessments at fair
market value in accordance with the
specific mandates of both the Constitu-
ton and the statute law Of Virginia"