Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. v. State Tax Commission

Holbrook, J.

This is an appeal by leave from the order of the State tax commission, dated February 9, 1965, finding the assessed value of the personal property of the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company in the city of Wyandotte, for the year 1964 to be $1,425,700.

The pertinent facts for purpose of decision are as follows:

On December 31, 1963, the city of Wyandotte assessed and the board of review of the city confirmed assessment for personal property of Michigan Consolidated Gas Company of $1,506,290. The taxpayer appealed and claimed it was assessed at a higher proportion of cash value than other properties. The State tax commission determined that the taxpayer was right as to the property that the taxpayer had reported, i.e., it should have been assessed at 40% of cash value, whereas it was assessed at a higher percentage and a proper assessment would have been $1,185,000. However, at the hearing it was brought out that the taxpayer had not reported any amount for service pipe lines, viz: the pipe line from the customer’s property line to the meter. The State tax commission requested the taxpayer to account for the cost to it of such service pipe lines. The taxpayer reported that its cost, for service pipe lines was $615,166.19 and the State tax commission assessed such interest of the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company at $240,220 which was reflected in the total assessment of $1,425,700 as set in its order. The service pipe lines in question appear to be paid for both by the customers and the Michigan Consolidated Gas Company, appellant. On oral argument it was indicated that an estimate of division of costs, was 70% paid by the customers and 30% paid by appellant. It was this 30% only that the State tax commission took into consideration in making the assessment.

The appellant claims that the State tax commission had no authority, in setting the assessment, to include the costs of the service pipe lines. First they assert that the appellee in determining assessment for. the service pipe lines based the same upon the authority of PA 1959, No 266, amending section 14 of the general tax law¹ adding the words:

“and personal property not otherwise taxed under this act which is in the possession of any person, firm or corporation using same in connection with a business conducted for profit shall be deemed the property of such person for taxation and assessed to him accordingly.”

This claim by appellant was acknowledged by appellee on the oral argument before this Court and is borne out by appellee’s order wherein it is stated:

“In examining the property of the appellant it is found that one category, service lines between the customer’s property line and the meter, were not reported and the commission advises that these service lines are in possession of the appellant and used in connection with the business of the company.”

Appellant further asserts such authority is without validity because of the decision in Continental Motors Corporation v. Township of Muskegon (July, 1965), 376 Mich 170. With this contention we agree, but in fairness to appellee, point out that the State tax commission did not have the benefit of the Continental Motors Case holding PA 1959, No 266, unconstitutional, at the time of its decision.

Despite this ruling there may be validity to assessing the interest of appellant in the service pipe lines. The attorney general has asserted that appellant’s ownership in the service pipe lines was as a tenant in common with the customers and cites, as authority for his position, the general property tax law § 24,² which is in part as follows:

“Two or more persons not being copartners, owning personal property in common, may each be assessed severally for his portion thereof.”

Appellant has asserted that it is not the owner of any of the service pipe lines in question and therefore cannot be legally assessed thereon. This issue has not been determined by the State tax commission.

Inasmuch as the State tax commission in determining the assessment of the taxpayer’s interest in the service pipe lines used by it in distributing gas to its customers cannot be upheld by reason of PA 1959, No 266, and the commission having failed to consider or rule upon all of the issues raised before it upon appeal, the order of appellee Michigan State tax commission dated February 9, 1965, is vacated and the matter remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

No costs are allowed, a public question being involved.

McGregor, P. J., concurred with Holbrook, J.

1 PA 1893, No 206, § 14, as amended (CLS 1961, § 211.14 [Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 7.14]).

2 CLS 1961 § 211.24 (Stat Ann 1960 Rev § 7.24).