The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1919-03-25
Notice From State
Tax Commissioners

Jackson, Mississippi, March 8, 1919.
To the Tax Assessor:
From inquiries from some Asses
sors, it appears that there is some
misunderstanding as to how the blank
for the assessment of personal prop
erty should be used in listing certain
classes of personal property. This
letter is written for the purpose of
furnishing information for your ben
eft in making these assessments.
If the taxpayer make affidavit
that his Household Furniture is worth
no more than $3.50, and you believe
that it is a true statement, you should
not list any of the several items
Hereunder, appearing on the tax list.
Only n column appears on the per-
sonal 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
looming 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 Fur
niture in excess of $3.50 has Always
been subject to taxation. There is no
new bu.Gen imposed by the itemiza-
ton; it carries the law, which HAS
been in effect since the creation of
he State.
There are many luxuries in the
Households of the rich or well-to-do,
Eh:ch have not heretofore appeared
on the Tax List Blanks (although al
ways t~axable); such as cut glass, art
squares, mahogany or other expensive
and handsome furniture. There are
art squares in some cities, which cost
more than $4O0 each. Unfortunate
Y, Mississippi has not many, whose
homes r adorned with such luxur-
les; but the fortunate should be glad
o pay their portions to the State
INV CI IlliiCIIt, WHICH SuUCdCSS 3 Gllc
youth, pensions the Confederate Sol
iier, heals the poor, when afflicted
or crippled, and cures or cares for the
insane; but she cannot do so without
money. The money cannot be raised
except by taxation. Every citizen
honestly owes his portion of the ex-
| pense of the State Government. This
portion is measured by the value Of
al taxable property owned by the
citizen. It is therefore your duty to
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 of the var
| ious kinds of it from the tax assess
ment blanks. Only one column ap-
pears on the roll for this, but the
termination will 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 bur-
den either by not being listed or by
undervalued. It is your duty to see
that property of all kinds is assess
ed for its value; and, if not reported
or if undervalued to report the tax
dodger to the Supervisors and District
Attorney. It is your moral duty, too,
to the taxpayers, who have rendered
honest returns because the burden
that should be borne by the untaxed
property will be borne by other prop
erty, by "Old Beck" by "Old Muley,"
by the farm land and by the widows
humble cottage because these things
cannot be hidden from the Assessors
eye.
Do not listed 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
promises to abolish taxation; such
promises, always, result in an in
crease in taxation.
ITO Land Owners:
The first of April is date Of expi-
| ration of the period of redemption of
lands from sale made by the Tax Col
lector in 1917. Check your receipts
fo- 1O1G ,orof11x, or,r.4 wan, 1o~J
numbers to prevent your not know
ing of the sale of your land. If any
has been sold, it should be redeemed
at once"
Yours very truly,
DUNCAN l.. THOMPSON,
Chairman of the State Tax Commits
T. sion. e.