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State aid.-The State shall not make donation to, loan its credit to, or assume the liability of any individual, association, or corporation, or subscribe to stock in any association or corporation. (Art. XIII, sec. 1.)

Uniform tax on property-Corporations.-All taxes shall be uniform on all property. Corporate property shall be assessed and taxed as near as may be like individual property. (Art. XI, sec. 2.)

Railroad reports.-Railroad companies shall make annual reports to the State as by law prescribed. (Art. XVII, sec. 12.)

Local aid.-No local division shall make any donation to, loan its credit to, or assume the liability of any individual, association, or corporation, nor subscribe to stock in any association or corporation. (Art. XIII, sec. 1.)

Railroad companies.

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-Railroad companies make annual reports to the State board of assessment and equalization of their earnings and property of operation. On the basis of these returns a valuation is reached, taking into consideration gross and net earnings, and is apportioned among the counties for the computation and collection of the tax.

Local taxation.-All railroad property other than that of operation is locally assessed and taxed. There is also a local tax on the values apportioned by the State. Telegraph and telephone compan

These companies make annual returns to the State board of assessment and equalization, and are taxed on their property as valued by that board. The tax is paid directly into the State treasury. Each county is subsequently allotted its share of the proceeds of the tax.

Express and sleeping-car companie

These companies make annual returns to the State auditor. They are assessed on their property by the State board of equalization and assessment. The gross earnings for the year are taken into account in determining the valuation. The tax is paid into the State treasury. Each county is subsequently allotted its share of the proceeds of the tax.

TENNESSEE.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

Internal improvement.-A well-regulated system of internal improvement ought to be encouraged by the General Assembly. (Art. XI, sec. 10.)

State aid.-The credit of the State shall not be loaned in aid of any individual, association, or corporation, nor shall the State become a stockholder in any association or corporation. (Art. II, sec. 31.)

No State bonds shall be issued to any railroad company which, at the time of its application for such, shall be in default of interest on past issues to it, or which has disposed of any past issues to it for less than par. (Art. II, sec. 33.)

Uniform tax on property.-All property shall be taxed uniformly according to its value, as the legislature shall direct. (Art. II, sec. 28.)

Local aid.-No local division shall loan its credit to any individual, association, or corporation, nor take stock in any association or corporation, except by threefourths vote of the people. (Art. II, sec. 29.)

Railroad companies.1

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-Railroad companies file annual schedules of property, stock, indebtedness, and earnings with the State railroad commission, by whom a valuation is set upon railroad property, with due regard for franchises, stock, bonds, and earnings. The valuation thus determined is examined by the State board of equalization and certified to the State controller. The taxes are paid into the State treasury.

In reaching a valuation the railroad commission has power to examine corporation books and papers. Railroad property having actual situs is known as localized property, and that having no actual situs is known as distributable property and is valued on a pro rata mileage basis.

1 Annotated South Dakota statutes (1899) secs. 2189-2193.
2 Ibid., secs. 2194-2196.

Ibid., secs. 2198-2203.

4 Laws of 1897, chap. 5.

Railroad companies not paying the State ad valorem tax pay an annual tax as follows: Companies controlling or operating 400 miles or more of road pay $10.000 for business done in the State; from 100 to 400 miles, $5,000; from 25 to 100 miles, $1,000; less than 25 miles, $100.1

Local taxation.-Railroad real estate and personalty (having actual situs) are locally assessed and taxed.

Each county through which a railroad runs its lines may levy a tax of $500 against such company, and each incorporated town a tax of $25.2

Railroad terminal companies, in counties of 90,000 inhabitants or over, pay a tax of $500; in counties of 70,000 to 90,000 inhabitants, $400, and in counties of 50,000 to 70,000, $300.1

Telegraph and telephone companies.2

These companies are assessed and taxed on their property like railroads. Telegraph companies pay also an annual privilege tax to the State, in lieu of all other State taxes but the ad valorem tax, as follows: Companies sending messages between points in the State, and operating 1,000 miles or more of line within the State, pay a tax of $5,000; from 300 to 1,000 miles, $1,000; from 100 to 300 miles, $300; from 25 to 100 miles, $25.1

Telephone companies annually pay to the State a privilege tax for business done wholly in the State, in lieu of all other State taxes but the ad valorem tax, varying according to the population of the city or town in which it does business from 50 to 75 cents per instrument in use.1

Express and sleeping-car companies.1

Express companies pay an annual privilege tax to the State, in lieu of all other State taxes but the ad valorem tax, as follows: Companies operating over lines 100 miles or under in length, $200 for business done wholly within the State; over 100 miles, $2,000.

Sleeping-car companies are required to pay the State an annual privilege tax of $2,500 in lieu of all State taxes but the ad valorem tax.

TEXAS.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

Release from taxation.—The power to tax corporations and corporate property shall never be surrendered or suspended. (Art. VIII, sec. 4.)

State aid.-The credit of the State shall never be loaned in aid of any individual, association, or corporation. (Art. III, sec. 50.)

The State shall make no grant of money to any individual, association, or corporation. (Art. III, sec. 51.)

The legislature shall not release the liability of any railroad to the State. (Art. III, sec. 54.)

The legislature shall not release, postpone, or diminish any liability to the State. (Art. III, sec. 55.)

Uniform taxation-Property, license, income, and occupation taxes.—Taxation shall be equal and uniform. All property in the State shall be taxed. The legis lature may also impose license and income taxes. (Art. VIII, sec. 1.)

All occupation taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of subjects within the same jurisdiction. (Art. VIII, sec. 2.)

Railroads. All railroad property shall be assessed in the several counties. Rolling stock may be assessed in gross in the county where a company's principal office is located, the resulting tax to be apportioned by the controller among the counties on a pro rata mileage basis. (Art. VIII, sec. 8.)

Local aid. The legislature shall not authorize any local division to lend its credit or grant money to any individual, association, or corporation, nor to become a stockholder in any association or corporation. (Art. III, sec. 52.)

Municipal taxes.-All railroad property shall bear its proportional share of municipal taxation. (Art. VIII, sec. 5.)

Railroad companies.

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Ad valorem tax. 3-Railroad companies pay ad valorem taxes on their franchises and on all property owned by them in the State, each county through which a road runs assessing and collecting the State and county taxes on the number of

1 Laws of 1897, pp. 74-77.

2 Ibid., chap. 5.

3 Revised Statutes of Texas (1895), pp. 1034-1035,

miles of line and superstructure within its limits. The total value of rolling stock owned and used in the State by each company is listed with the assessor of the county in which its principal office is located. The total rendition is forwarded to the State controller, who apportions the value among the counties on a pro rata mileage basis. This valuation is then added to the valuation of the other property of the road and is the basis for State and local taxes.

Occupation tux.'-Railroad companies also pay to the State an occupation tax of 1 per cent on gross receipts from passenger travel. This tax is paid quarterly to the controller on a sworn statement by authorized officers of the various companies. Steamboat and stage companies pay the same tax.

Telegraph and telephone companies.

Telegraph companies pay a tax of 1 cent on every full-rate message sent between points in the State and a tax of one-half cent on other than full-rate messages, in addition to the usual local property taxes.

Telephone companies annually pay the State a tax of 23 cents per telephone in use in the State.3

Sleeping-car and express companies.

Sleeping-car companies pay a State tax of one-fourth of 1 per cent on the value of their capital stock in use in the State. The valuation is determined on a pro rata mileage basis, and the value of all property other than rolling stock is deducted. There is also a State tax of 2 per cent on gross receipts from passenger traffic in the State."

Express companies pay a State tax of 14 per cent on gross receipts from traffic in the State."

All sleeping-car and express companies are subject to the usual local property taxes.

UTAH.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

State aid.—The State shall neither loan its credit to nor subscribe to stock or bonds in any railroad, telegraph, or other private enterprise. (Art. VI, sec. 31.) The legislature shall not release any individual or corporation from its liability to the State or to any local division thereof. (Art. VI, sec. 27.)

Uniform tax on property.-There shall be a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation on all property in the State. Every person and corporation shall be taxed in proportion to value of property. (Art. XIII, sec. 3.)

All persons and corporations doing business in the State shall be subject to taxation for State and local purposes on all their property. (Art. XIV, sec. 10.) Rolling stock shall be considered and taxed as personalty. (Art. XII, sec. 14.) Income, license, and franchise taxes.-The legislature may levy a stamp tax, and taxes based on income, occupation, licenses, franchises, or mortgages. (Art. XIV, sec. 12.)

Local aid. The legislature shall not authorize any local division to loan its credit or subscribe to stock or bonds in any railroad, telegraph, or other private enterprise. (Art. VI, sec. 31.)

Railroad companies.'

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-The officials of railroads operating in more than one county are required to make annual reports to the State, setting forth all their property and its value. On the basis of these reports the various companies are assessed by the State board of equalization on their property and franchises. Rolling stock is valued on a pro rata mileage basis. The total valuation is apportioned among the counties for the computation and collection of the tax.

Local taxation.-Railroad lands not employed for operating purposes are locally assessed and taxed. There is also a local tax on the values apportioned by the State.

Telegraph, telephone, car, and depot companies.8

These companies are taxed like railroads.

1 Revised Statutes of Texas (1895), p. 1019.

2 Ibid., pp. 1019., 1031.

3 Ibid., p. 1075.

4 Ibid., p. 1076.

Laws of 1897, p. 170.
Laws of 1895, chap. 32.

7 Laws of 1899, pp. 102-103.
8 Ibid., pp. 102-103.

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Railroad companies.'

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-Railroad companies are required to make full returns, pot more frequently than biennially, to the commissioner of State taxes, who appraises the value of the railroad property, including the corporate franchise. In the case of interstate roads, the valuation is determined on a pro rata mileage basis. The rate of the tax is seven-tenths of 1 per cent.

Alternative gross earnings tax.-Railroad companies may pay in lieu of the tax on property and franchise a tax of 2 per cent on gross earnings from business done in the State, including a pro rata mileage portion of interstate earnings. Telegraph and telephone companies.?

Telegraph companies are taxed on the value of property and franchise as follows: 60 cents per mile of poles and the first line of wire; 40 cents per mile on each additional wire.

In lieu of this tax, telegraph companies may pay a tax of 3 per cent on their gross earnings from business done in the State.

Telephone companies pay a tax of 3 per cent on their gross earnings from business done in the State.

Express and sleeping-car companies.3

Express companies pay a tax of 4 per cent on their gross earnings from business done in the State.

Sleeping-car companies pay a tax of 5 per cent on their gross earnings from business done in the State.

Steamboat, car, and transportation companies.*

All such companies incorporated under the laws of the State pay a tax of seventenths of 1 per cent on an appraised valuation of their property and corporate franchises, or in lieu thereof a tax of 2 per cent on their entire gross earnings. License tax.5

All corporations doing business in the State and all incorporated in the State pay an annual State license tax of $10 if their respective capitals are $50,000 or less, and of $5 for each additional $50,000 of capital, the total tax not to exceed $50.

Local taxation.6

The real and personal estate of all transportation companies not used for operating purposes is appraised by the listers of the towns like the property of individuals.

Powers of commissioner of State taxes."

This officer is empowered by law to summon witnesses, and to examine corporation books, papers, etc., to assist in reaching correct valuations for purposes of taxation.

VIRGINIA.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

Internal improvement.-The State shall not engage in nor be a party to works of internal improvement otherwise than in the expenditure of grants to the State of land and other property. (Art. X, sec. 15.)

State aid.-The credit of the State shall not be granted in aid of any person, association, or corporation. (Art. X, sec. 12.)

The State shall not be interested in the stock of any corporation. (Art. X, sec. 13.)

The liability of any corporation to the State shall not be released nor diminished. (Art. X, sec. 21.)

Uniform tax on property.-Taxation shall be uniform. All property shall be taxed according to its value.

(Art. X, sec. 1.)

1 Vermont Statutes, Title 10, secs. 557-564.

2 Ibid., secs. 565-568.

Ibid., secs. 569-571.

Ibid., secs. 572-574.

Ibid., sec. 575.
Ibid., secs. 590-592.
7Ibid., secs. 368-373, 598.

Business capital.-The capital invested in all business operations shall be assessed and taxed as other property. Assessments upon stock shall be according to the market value thereof. (Art. X, sec. 4.)

Railroad companies.1

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-Railroad companies are required to make annual returns to the auditor of public accounts, setting forth their entire property and their gross receipts and net earnings from operation. The auditor is empowered to examine corporation books and papers. The board of public works appraises all railroad property. The taxes on this appraisement are paid into the State

treasury.

Gross receipts tax.-Railroad companies also pay a tax on gross receipts to pay the expenses of the railroad commission.

Local taxation.-Railroad real estate not in the right of way, including depots and other buildings, is locally assessed and taxed.

Telegraph and telephone companies.?

These companies are taxed on their property for State and public school purposes.

Telegraph companies pay in addition a license tax of $2 per mile of poles, and 2 per cent on gross earnings from business done in the State.

Telephone companies pay in addition a license tax, as follows:

Those using 600 instruments or less, 50 cents on each instrument.

Those using between 600 and 1,000 instruments, 75 cents on each instrument. Those using between 1,000 and 2,000 instruments, $1 on each instrument. Those using more than 2,000 instruments, $1.50 on each instrument.

Express and navigation companies.3

These companies are assessed on their property by the State, and pay the usual property taxes. Express companies in addition pay an annual State license tax, as follows: Those operating over 1,000 miles or more in the State, $500; less than 1,000 miles, $300.

Sleeping-car companies.3

These companies are taxed by the State for State and public school purposes. The tax is based on a pro rata mileage proportion of their capital stock. They also pay the usual local property taxes.

Canal companies.1

These companies are assessed and taxed on their property like railroads.

WASHINGTON.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS.

Release from taxation.-The power to tax corporations and corporate property shall not be surrendered or suspended by the State. (Art. VII, sec. 4.)

State aid.-The credit of the State shall not be extended in aid of any person, association, or corporation. (Art. VIII, sec. 5.)

Uniform tax on property.-There shall be a uniform and equal rate of assessment and taxation on all property in the State. (Art. VII, sec. 2.)

Corporations.-Corporate property shall be taxed as nearly as may be by the same methods as are followed in taxing individual property. (Art. VII, sec. 3.) Rolling stock shall be considered and taxed as personal property. (Art. XII, sec. 17.)

Local aid.-No local division shall give any money or property, loan its money or credit, or become the owner of stock or bonds in aid of any company or corporation. (Art. VIII, sec. 7.)

Railroad companies."

STATUTE PROVISIONS.

Listing, valuation, etc.-Railroad companies are required to return to the State auditor schedules of their entire property of operation, capital stock, earnings, expenses, and indebtedness. The property is then assessed for State taxes by the State board of equalization.

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