Taxation (No. 3) Act 1696

XXII. Allowance for prompt Payment of Duty.

In case of Dispute the Value of Stock taken upon the Oath of the Owner, and if Officer suspects Fraud then he may take them at such Value, paying down ready Money.

Provided always That if any such Person or Persons chargeable for such Stock shall pay or cause to be paid his or their Duties for the same within the said Space of Three Months hee she or they shall be allowed for such prompt Payment after the Rate of Ten Pounds per Centum per Annum for every Su[m]m so advanced but in case any Dispute or Controversie shall arise touching the Valuation of any such Stock of Leather in all such Cases the same shall be valued by the Oath of the Owner or Owners to be made and taken in Writing before any of His Majesties Justices of the Peace and to be delivered to the said Officer or Officers who shall hereby have Power (if hee thinks the King to be apparently defrauded thereby) to take such Goods att the Value specified in such Affidavitt paying downe ready Money to the Owner for the same which ready Money so paid downe shall be allowed upon the Accounts to be made to His Majesty for the Duties aforesaid and the Goods in such Cases shall be sold and disposed of for His Majesties best Advantage and Profitt.