490 MISC. PUBLICATION 218, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
rates on successions or donations in direct line of descent were on a 
progressive scale varying from 1.6 to 5.2 percent of the different 
portions of the total value. The communes are entitled to levy in 
addition 30 percent of the cantonal tax on transfers, up to one-half 
of the cantonal tax on inheritances in direct line, and up to double 
the cantonal tax on inheritances in indirect line. 
The value of forests and wooded pasture for assessment under the 
property tax is estimated, as in the case of other real estate, by 
capitalizing the estimated annual net yield at a rate of 5 percent. 
In estimating the yield, consideration is given to the fertility of the 
soil on the one hand and the condition of the growing stock on the 
other. The volume of the standing timber is not considered; wooded 
properties in the same condition of fertility, density of stocking, and 
market situation are taxed at the same value whether the standing 
timber has reached its maximum development or whether it has 
just been cut.* 
ZURICH | 
The Canton imposes a general property tax (159, p. 116) based on 
the total fortune of the taxpayer less debts, at a progressive scale of 
rates from 0.15 to 0.25 percent. The local communes may raise up 
to 250 percent of the cantonal tax for local purposes and may also 
levy a local real estate tax at a flat rate up to 0.05 percent. There 
is in addition a cantonal tax on all income, at progressive rates on a 
scale from 1 to 6 percent. The Canton also levies an inheritance 
and gift tax at rates from 2 to 15 percent, from which parents, wife, 
and descendents are exempt. The local authorities levy a tax on 
real estate transfers, at rates fixed by local act from 0.25 to 2.0 per- 
cent, and a tax on increment of real estate value (selling price less 
purchase price), at rates which may not exceed 25 percent. 
Property generally is assessed for the property tax at market 
value, but farm and forest land are assessed at three-fourths of 
market value. The total value of a forest is determined from the 
area, age of stand, site quality, and growth condition. The area is 
taken from the land register, and investigation must be made as to 
the other factors. The values are determined from these factors, 
with the aid of a small table with 5 age classes at 20-year intervals 
on the left, and 5 columns for different grades of quality and growth 
conditions considered together (270, ». 19). For example, for the 
age class 41-60, values are found ranging from 180 francs per hectare 
($14 per acre) for the poorest site and growth conditions to 5,350 
francs per hectare ($418 per acre) for the best. The lowest value 
for age class 0-20 is 45 francs per hectare ($3.50 per acre), and the 
highest for age class 80 and over is 22,000 francs per hectare ($1,720 
per acre). The relationships of this table are based in part on the 
more elaborate valuation tables used in St. Gallen. 
In this Canton most of the forests owned by semipublic corpora- 
tions are subject to easements giving the holders, usually local resi- 
dents, the rights to certain definitely stated forest uses or products. 
Such a corporation is taxed only on its own equity in the forest. The 
holder of such an easement is taxed on the sale value of his rights, 
from which one-fourth is deducted to obtain the assessed value as in 
the case of fee-simple ownerships in forest land. 
48 For a more complete description of forest valuation for tax purposes in this canton, refer to Moreillon 
878, D. 791). 
