EIGHT HUNDRED FORMS

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 904, 25 August 1910, Page 7

EIGHT HUNDRED FORMS

TAXPAYERS' HUGE TASK. By Telecreph— Press Association-Copyright. London, August 23. Tho intricacy of the , land valuation notices which- have become necessary, consequent on tho imposition of an increment value duty, a reversion duty, an undeveloped land duty, and a mineral rights duty, has aroused general protests. . In tho caso of some estates eight hundred forms are necessary, and tho penalty is fifty pounds sterling for oach form unless it is returned inside a month. "Tho Times" rejects a suggestion of passive resistance by two. million pro-perty-owners, and advises that an honest attempt bo made to fill in the forms. • • . . It is probable that the Inland Revenue Department will bo unable to cope with tho immense amount of detail involved. Captain Pretyraan, Conservative M.P., declares that if,' despite difficulties, tho forms arc correctly filled in, the information acquired will soon be obsolete and worthless. THE DOMESDAY BOOK. In order to assess the land taxes, 'the Commissioners of Inland Revenue aro to make a valuation of all the land in the United Kingdom as soon as possible after the passing of the Act. Each piece of land under separate occupation; and, if required by the owner, any part of any land under separate occupation, is to bo separately valued. The valuation is to show separately the "site value" and the "total value," and is to distinguish that part of the site value which is duo to its value for agriculture where the latter differs from the site value. Tho value to be estimated "as on April 30, 1909." Owners of' land and persons receiving rent for it are, on notice furnish the Commissioners with information , as to rent nnd any other relevant matters that may be required within a specified time, which is to be'not less than a month. The Commissioners are then to make a provisional, valuation, and send a copy to the owner., who may'lodge an ob 7 jection within sixty days. If ho does not, tho provisional valuation holds good, and becomes the "original site value," or settled basis of taxation!, When an objection, is lodged ,and tho provisional valnatipn is not amended so as to be satisfactory to the objector, ha may give notice of appeal. Any person interested in the land has the same Tight of objection and appeal as the owner. For tho mirposes of the duty on undeveloped land, the Commissioners are to .make a periodical valuation every five years, beginning with 1911. Persons aggrieved have the right of ap--penl to a referee, in the first instance, and from him to the High Court, or, if the property in question does not exceed i£soo, to the Country Court.: ■ Land held by local authorities or bodies having the power to levy rates is exempt from tho land taxes.. Any capital sums' paid to a- rating authority for increased value of land are to be deducted from tho assessment for lnnd taxes. Land occupied and used by a charitable body for charitable purposes is exempt. Land owned by a charitable body or by a society registered under the Friendly Societies Act is not liable to periodical increment duty. Land held by statutory companies (railway, canal,'dock, water, etc.) for the purposes of their undertakings is exempt, but if sold is liable to increment duty. Such companies aro relieved of making a roturn for valuation'except tho actual cost of their land. ' - ■ . ■,