New-York tribune., 1919-05-03
Says Checking Up
of Reduced Assessments
Will Add $5,0OO,OOO
Revenue OH Real Estate
Wide Campaign Planned
Seeming Irregularities TO
BE Investigated in Effort
to Prevent Deficiency

Rectification of improper tax assess
lnents Will 60 far toward reinlbursino
New York for loss Of revenue from ey-
clse taxes, according to municipal tax
oficlais yesterday. Investigation bv
Commissioner of Accounts Hirshfeld
has shown that improper assessment
reductions had been made and ignored
TOR scores of years, it was asserted.
These rectitications, Commissioner
Hlrshtield estimated, would add $780,
100000 to the tax roll and yield the
city an increased yearly revenue of $5,-
100000.
II have investigated onlv one dis
uict of the city," said Mr.. Hirshfeld,
but in that section alone | find large
property owners have had their assess
ments reduced 100000. In every in
stance where property owner has
been called before me to testify it has
been established that he paid So
called assessment rcducer for procur-
ing the reduction. There are nine other
districts in the CITY. Each will be in
vestIgated and the proper rectihcations
made
lhese assessment reducers have
made business of going to property
owners and saying, You are paying
too much in taxes. | can have your
assessment lowered. Will you pay me
90 per cent of what l save you on YOUR
next years tax bll?'
Reminded of David Harum
Real estate owners remind me
good deal of David Harum. They NAV
be men of the utmost probity and the
highest standing, but when it comes
to evading taxes or raising rents, like
David Harum in horse trade, every
thing goes.
When property owner pays some
outsider after the assessment upon his
property is lowered, it is but natural
to inquire how it happened. The deputy
tax commissioner says he reduced the
assessment on the property to equalize
assessments with other property. or
because he did not estimate the prop
erty worth as much as in previous
years"
lax departm ant officials announced
that the methods Of every commission
er would be investigated and a proper
valuation Of the properties arrived at.
They said six deputy tax commission
ers recently had been transferred to
other districts.
Arrangements have been made bv
the Department of Taxes and Mayor
myian .yn. to TO have ,a any REDUCTION of assess
winch is nov going on reported week
ly to the Tax Commissioners. The
deputy commissioners will be com
PEELED to give in detail reasons for
reductions or failure to assess in
creases. The work of each will be
closely Watched
10 Check Up Frauds
1he Tax Commissioners. it was an
nounced, are united in their determi
nation to check fraudulent reductions
and. see that proper and equitable as
sessment is given every parcel Of real
estate. Mayor Hylan and Commission
er HIrshheld have pledged thir assist
ance to the Tax Commissioners in
every way
Real estate will be assessed at a
tar valuation." said Mr.. Hirshtield.
lhat means the holders of large cx-
pehsIve parcels will pay in proportion
to the small owner. Fancy property
WI be made to pay its just proportion
OIL the tax burden and the home owner
and proprietor of small parcels of real
property. who have heretofore paid
more than their just share, Will get
the benefit"