Alexander v. Thomas
Alexander v. Thomas
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
The city had the right to levy seventy-five per cent, of the state tax on the capital stock paid in of the bank, as shown by the written statement of its president delivered to the county assessor, and was not bound to, and would not have been justified in, following the error of the board of supervisors in disregarding the express provision of the law, that the stock should be rated at par unless worth more or less. The law, which is highly favorable to banks in imposing taxes, intends that the capital stock shall be paid on at its value, and the par value is fixed as the standard, subject to be varied by the facts. The idea that the stock is to be rated at two-thirds of its par value, because property generally is i-ated thus, is utterly inadmissible.
Decree reversed, and cause remanded with directions for a decree by the court below in favor of the appellant against appellee and sureties on injunction bond for amount of taxes enjoined and ten per centum thereon, and all costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- J. Alexander, Tax Collector of Greenville v. G. D. Thomas, Receiver
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Municipality. Banks; taxation of. Valuation of stock. Laws 1890, p. 9. In taxing banks, under tbe act of 1890 (Laws, p. 9), municipalities have the right to levy seventy-five per cent, of the state tax on the value of the capital stock paid in, as shown by the statement required to be furnished by the bank to the county assessor. In the absence of a showing that the stock is worth more or less, it is to be rated at par. 2. Same. Duty of municipal authorities. Assessment. If the board of supervisors, in disregard of the statute, assess the capital stock of a bank at less than its value, on the ground that property generally is so assessed, it is the duty of the municipal authorities to disregard this, and assess the stock at its value.