§ 11-3-5 — Correction of previous property books; entry of omitted property

West Virginia § 11-3-5

• Jurisdiction: West Virginia
• Ch. 11: TAXATION
• Art. 3: ASSESSMENTS GENERALLY

Text

The assessor, in making out the land and personal property books, shall correct any and every mistake he or she discovers in the books for any previous year.

When the assessor ascertains that any real or personal property in his or her county liable to taxation, other than that mentioned in the next succeeding paragraph, has been omitted from the land or personal property books for a period of less than five years, he or she shall make an entry of the property in the proper book of the year in which the omission was discovered and assess the same, according to the rule prescribed in section one of this article, and shall charge the same with all taxes chargeable against it at the rate of levy for the year or years the same was omitted, together with interest at the rate of six percent per annum for the years the same was omitted from the books: Provided, That if the taxpayer, including any person, firm or corporation, and excluding public service corporations, requires proof of payment of personal property taxes then the taxpayer shall file a listing of all personal property owned on the assessment date preceding the tax year or years for which proof must be shown. The assessor shall then create a supplemental assessment for the year or years required for proof of payment for all personal property taxes provided on the listing and present the supplemental assessment to the sheriff who shall apply the levy rate or rates for the year or years so assessed and prepare a tax bill and collect the taxes together with interest thereon at the rate of six percent per annum for the years the same was omitted from the books and any penalties included thereon: Provided, however, That any person who has been a resident of the state less than one year prior to the assessment date is not required to pay any interest or penalty.

And when the assessor ascertains that any notes, bonds, bills and accounts receivable, stocks and other intangible personal property in his or her county liable to taxation has been omitted from the personal property books for a period of five years or less after December 31, 1932, he or she shall make entry of the property in the personal property book of the year in which the omission was discovered and assess the same at its true and actual value, according to the rule prescribed in section one of this article, and shall charge the same with all taxes chargeable against it after the year last aforesaid at the rate of levy for the year or years the same was omitted after the year aforesaid, together with interest thereon at the rate of six percent per annum for the years the same was omitted from the books.

Any assessor failing to make an entry as in this section provided, when discovered by him or her or called to his or her attention by any taxpayer interested therein, shall forfeit $100.

Legislative History

2007 Reg. Sess., HB3141; 2005 Reg. Sess., SB463; 2004 Reg. Sess., SB261; 2003 Reg. Sess., SB538; 1961 Reg. Sess., SB121