Filing of False Tax Returns Is Widespread Says Editor, 1918

“False Tax Returns,” from the editorial page of the Monroe Journal, June 28, 1918, John Beasley, editor

The writer, while looking through a pile of War Savings Stamps soliciting cards, on which were listed the tax returns of the inhabitants of a certain Monroe ward, was surprised at the amount which some apparently wealthy men returned their property for taxation. One man, whose holdings are generally estimated to be in excess of $150,000, had given his property at $40,000. Another citizen who was known to possess at least $3,000 worth of taxable property had given his holdings at the modest sum of $300, one-tenth of their actual worth. A well-known citizen, whose home is luxuriously furnished, made affidavit that his household goods, including musical instruments, were worth only $70!

The wealthy are not the only guilty ones. Many citizens in modest circumstances gave in their property at amounts ranging from $10 to $100. In fact, so far as the writer knows no one in that pile of names had reported their holdings to be worth over one-fourth of their real value. These returns, it must be remembered, were declared to be true on the oath of each property owner. No one is at fault except the taxpayers and the system.

As a result of this practice of giving small returns, the tax rate of Monroe is advertised far and wide as exorbitant. Besides this it works no especial harm other than to force a few conscientious citizens, who give in their property at full value, to pay more than their share of taxes.

The system ought to be changed. The tax rate in Monroe is really no higher than in other sections but the world does not know it. Outsiders look at the rate alone, and not the rate on the amount of returns. By introducing a reform, Union County people would be relieved of the necessity of making false returns, and the community would cease to receive the bad advertising it now gets. The only way to eradicate the evil would be to appoint an assessing board with full authority to make a minute inspection of the holdings of each person. Make the additional requirement of the board that it list property at its real value, and the taxation would be equalized.