The north Mississippi herald. (Water Valley, Yalobusha Co., Miss.) 1888-1929, 1919-03-28
STATE TAX COM
MISSION EXPLAINS
TAX PROBE EMS
Jackson, Miss, March 8, 1919.
TO THE TAX ASSESSOR:


From inquiries from some Asses
sors, it appears that there is some mis-
understanding as to how the blank
for the assessment of personal PROP
erty should be used in listing cer-
tain classes of personal property.
This letter is written for the purpose
Of furnishing information for your
benefit in making these assessments
If the taxpayer make affidavit that
his HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE is
worth no more than $3.50, and you be-
lieve that it is true statement, you
should not list any of the several
items Hereunder, appearing on the
tax list. Only one calumn appears
on the personal roll for it. At least,
seventy per cent of the. taxpayers
have less than $3.50 of HOUSEHOLD
FURNITURE, and are exempt from
assessment for same. Surely, none
except hotels or rooming places have
more than $3.50 invested in beds and
bedding, and it would be Unfair TO
other taxpayers for such TO escape
their portion of the tax burden. All
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE in ex-
cess of $3.50 has ALWAYS been sub
ject to taxation. There is no new
burden imposed by the itemization; it
carries the law, which has been in ef-
feet since the creation of the State
There are many luxuries in the
Households of the Rich or Well-to-do
which have not heretofore appeared
on the Tax List Blanks (although tax
able) such as cut glass, art squares
mahogany or other expensive and
handsome furniture. There are art
squares in some cities, which cost
more than S400 each. Unfortunate
ly, Mississippi has not many, whose
homes are adorned with such luxu-
ries; but the fortunate should be
glad to pay their portions to the
State Government, which educates
the youth, pensions the Confederate
Soldier, heals the poor, when afflicted
or crippled, and cures or-cares for the
insane; but she cannot do so without
the money. The money cannot be
raised except by taxation. Every
citizen honestly owes his portion Of
the expense of the State Government
This portion is measured by the value
of al taxable property owned by the
citizen. 1t is therefore your duty tc
see that all property is assessed and
valued according to law.
Much machinery has been escaping
taxation; this. has been occasioned
by the omission of the names of the
various kinds of it from the tax as
sessment blanks. Only one column
appears on the roll for this, but the
Termination win add much to the
rolls.
Diamonds, jewelry, cut glass, art
squares, rugs, automobiles, solvent
credits, merchandise and many kinds
of property other than the above are
escaping their portion of the tax
burden either by not being listed OF
by being undervalued. 1t is your
duty to see that property of all kinds
is assessed for its value; and, it not
reported or if undervalued to report
the tax-dodger to the Supervisors
and District Attorney. 1t is your
moral duty, too, to the taxpayers
who have rendered honest returns
because the burden that should be
borne by the untaxed property WI
be borne by other property, by "Old
Beck" by "Old Muley," by the farm
land and by the widows humble cot
tage because these things cannot be
AlAQuSn 1IOHt tite <ASGCSSO4 = CECs
TO LAND OWNERS
The first of April is date of expira-
ton of the period of redemption Of
lands from sale made by the Tax Col
lector in 1917. Check your receipts
fer 1916 carefully against your land
numbers to prevent your not know
ing of the sale of your land. If any
has been sold, it should be redeemed
at once.
Do not listen to the walls of the
tax-dodger, who tries to bluff you out
of doing your sworn duty, by threats
to ''tear down your political play
house," Fear not the politician, who
is trying to ride into office. not on his
merits, but by making foolish promis-
es to abolish taxation; such promises
always, result in an increase in tax
alton.
Your very truly,
d. L. THOMPSON,
Chairman of State Tax Commission.