56 



STATION BULLETIN 346 



Table 11 Comparison of Equalized Valuation and Local Inventory by Cities, 

 Urban Towns, and Other Towns of New Hampshire, Tax Years 

 1940 and 1941* 



* Annual report of the state tax commission, 1940. 



Collection and Delinquency 



On or before July 1 the selectmen deliver to the town tax collec- 

 tor a list of all taxes assessed locally. This list is accompanied by a 

 warrant requiring the collector to collect the taxes as listed. On or 

 before September 1, or within thirty days of receipt of the list, the 

 collector must send each person taxed a ImII of his taxes. "^^ Taxes are 

 due 14 days after receipt of bill, but may be paid at any time without 

 penalty until after December 1. 



The collector buys his own record books and they are his per- 

 sonal property. The ordinary expenses of his olTice, such as printing, 

 stationery, and postage, are paid by the town. On the first Saturday 

 of each month the collector may pay to the treasurer all money col- 

 lected up to that time. Whenever, as the result of an audit, the state 

 tax commission or its agents find the books of a collector to be irregu- 

 lar, the commission can discharge the collector and require the select- 

 men to appoint another. '*"* 



The greatest inflow of tax money occurs in late November since 

 there is no penalty for late payment until after December 1. Most 

 towns find that available funds are inadequate to meet current ex- 

 penses, particularly during the summer months. To cope with the 

 situation the town meeting has power to authorize selectmen to bor- 

 row money in anticipation of taxes. The town meeting has further 

 power to vote that a discount be allowed for early payment of taxes. 

 The purpose of these discounts is to induce the public to pay taxes 

 early and thereby eliminate the necessity for borrowing and the ac- 

 companying interest expense. The collector is recpiired to comply 

 with the action taken by the voters. 



Thirteen of the 116 towns surveyed were in such a position that 

 short-time borrowing was unnecessary. None of these granted any 

 discounts for early payment of taxes. Of the remaining 103 towns, 

 60 had voted to grant a discount in one form or another. All dis- 

 counts are expressed as a certain percent of the tax bill with the con- 



■"•If selectmen are unable to submit their tax list by July 1, they may receive an extension of 

 time upon application to the state tax commission. 



" Revised Laws, 1941, Chapter 59, Section 34. 



