Untitled

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 4 September 1880, Page 2

The new and improved Property Tax Schedule has at length made its appearance.. But copies have not yet been, nor are thay ljkply to be, forwarded to Assessors yet awhile. The period for sending in assessments has now been ex? tended to the 15th October, and it is probable that a further extension of time will be necessary, to enable tax-payers to avoid the terrible penalties which neglect to comply with the mandate of the Government would involve. Of course taxpayers should be grateful for the new schedules, for they are less repugnant, vexatious, and obscure. J3ufc they will never be satisfied until they get something more—they want the repeal of the Property Tax." That taxation, in the present circumstances of the country is necessary there can be no doubt; but that the Property Tax is about as bad a form of taxation as could have been adopted is equally certain. Interested individuals may endeavor to appease the dissatisfied by averring that it is equitable. But, so long as the foreign mortgagee gets scot free, and machinery, live stock, and stocks-in-trade are taxed, so long will it be impossible to make converts of the discontents. We predict that the Property Tax which has been ushered in so inauspiciously, .Till be but short lived. Next session will probably witness its repeal, and the institution of an Income Tax, so arranged as not to fl dry up the springs of industry." This would be a tax on the profits a man made, and not on the materials out of which he was endeavoring to make money—not year after year on stock-in-trade for wjiich he ev.entually realises less than he originally paid for it—not on the machinery of our struggling factories and the miner. But we must suffer tlip Tax for a season, and look pleasant, resolving that next session our fiscal policy must be reformed, or the Government must be supplanted, We give the new and improved schedule below • PROPERTY ASSESSMENT FOB THE YKAit . ixg 31st march, ISBI, Property assessment district . Name . Occupation . Address In pursuance of the " Property Assessment Act, 1879, Amendment Act, ISSO," you are hereby required to make a return of all your property in the following form, and cause the same to be forwarded to the Deputy-Commissioner of your district at on or before the ; in default of which you will be liable to a penalty of LIOO, and to be assessed and charged treble duty. John Sperrey, Commissioner Property Tax Department. Wellington, Ist September, ISBO.

Total value of all my interest in any lands or buildings, after deducting all liabilities due by me thereon, £ Total value of all my interest in any leases held.by me, after deducting mortgages thereon, if any. Total value of all other property belonging to me, including money owing to me, mortgages, liens, and bills of sale, household furniture, jewellery, plate, works of art, horses, cattle, sheep, or other live stock, produce, merchandise, stock-in-trade, plant, machinery, cash, cash in bank, annuities, debentures, and everything else I possess, except agricultural implements in actual use, life insurance policies, vessels, and shares in public companies, after deducting my just dehts, for which I claim exemption. Deduct fixed exemption, L 500; taxable value, L Declaration : I do hereby declare that the above statement is true and accurate in all particulars stated by me according to the best of my judgment and belief. Dated this day of , ISBO. Signature—

If the liabilities on landed property exceeds its value, the balance may be deducted from the value of other taxable property.