RETURNS OF LAND

Patea Mail, Volume LIII, 26 March 1934, Page 4

RETURNS OF LAND

DUE APRIL 9

PENALTY FOR NEGLECT. Furnishing a return of land is an annual duty imposed by law upon all landowners who at noon on Alarch oT hold land of ,an unimproved value according to the Government valuation in excess of £o()0. The unimproved value is the value of the kind exclusive of buildings, fencing, and other improvements. The form of return has been made as simple as it is possible to make it. Forms are obtainable at all post offices.

Details of the land hold at March .‘VI, 1934, should be entered in part 3

of the form. Under part 1 of registered mortgages and unpaid purchase money should be shown each year irrespective of •whether any change has taken place or not. The return should be completed and returned to the Commissioner of 'Taxes. Wellington, C 1, on or before April 9. Any person neglecting to furnish a return is liable to a penalty not ex ceeding £IOO. Neglect to furnish returns at the prescribed time not only renders tnxnayers liable to prosecution, but also In many cases for considerably more tax than would otherwise be payable. The Act provides for an exemption in respect of registered mortgages or balances of purchase money in certain circumstances, but to obtain the exemption it is essential that a return showing particulars of mortgages owing should be furnished. The Department cannot assume that mortgages are owing, and in the absence of a return the assessment is made as though the land were unencumbered. The taxassessed in these cases may be in excess of the amount which would be payable if the return had been furnished. All persons liable to furnish returns arc therefore advised in their own interests to forward their returns on or before the above date.