The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-10-29
MOTORISTS PAY OVER HALF OF
STATES TAXES

A committee representing the petroleum
industries makes public the statement that
investigation discloses that more than one
half of the taxes paid in North Carolina
are directly levied on the owners of motor
vehicles. The figures are based on the rec
,ords of the State and are no doubt correct.
The figures show that motor vehicle own
2fs and operators pay 81 1-2 Fer cent. Of
the entire revenue of the State in taxes
levied directly against them as owners and
operators of motor vehicles. In addition
they pay all taxes levied against them as
iowners of other classes of property.
The statement by the petroleum indus
tries investigating committee gives this
summary of its findings:
motorists of North Carolina are bearing as
their direct share of the states burden 50 1-2
per cent of the entire revenue of the state from
tax sources an analysis of the figures of the states
revenue for the fiscal year 1933-34 reveals This
is levied directly against them motorists, and
does not coutain any of the taxes they pay in COM
anon with the rest of the citizens of the state.
Gasoline taxes are the largest single source of
revenue to the state, this analysis shows contribut
ing 1919 per cent of the entire tax revenue. Next
in order come motor vehicle registrations at 14.9
per cent franchise taxes at 14.4 per cent, income
taxes at 49, per cent, and the general sales tax
at 1913 per cent. Motorists paid altogether $685.
3OO,568 for the privilege of using their cars, out
of total tax revenue OF S44, 1888, 1899, or 52.5
per cent of the total
These figures do not include the income taxes
paid by motor vehicle, accessory, and gasoline
dealers, and truck and bus operators during the
year. If these figures, together with the income
taxes paid by men who use their cars in business
were included the total would doubtless rise to 55
per cent. And then no consideration is taken of
the other taxes which car owners as citizens and
business men of this state pay through other
EEannels just the any other citizen pays
Them"
The foregoing statement and figures Of
fer ample evidence that North Carolina
owners of motor cars are bearing a full
share of the States tax burden. In fact,
the conclusion reached by fair minded citi-
zenS probably will be that more than a
reasonable share of the load has been
placed on this class of citizens. In view Of
this fact, it seems that there should be few
to oppose little relief for the burdened
and hard-pressed owners of motor We
hicles. They are carrying their fair share
of the tax load imposed on other classes
OF property and, in addition, paying more
than all other classes of property in direct
taxes on motor vehicles, gasoline and other
direct taxes imposed on the owners and
Operators of motor vehicles.
IA reduction in the costs of motor vehicle
license plates would afford some relief to
tie owners. In fact, would afford notice
able relief in the case of many thousands
OF owners of motor cars, who are now
clearly over-taXed for the costs of plates.
No matter what the next session of the
Legislature may find in regard to taxation.
OF what may be done in raising revenue,
it is certain that there will be found no
Justification for imposing additional bur
dens on the owners of motor vehicles; and
there is ample justification for giving them
some relief, if legislators will seek and
discover the evidence.