United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Orient Ins. Co. v. Board of Assessors, 221 U.S. 358 (1911)

Orient Insurance Company v. Board of Assessors for Parish of Orleans

No. 397

Argued April 18, 19, 1911

Decided May 15, 1911

221 U.S. 358

Syllabus

Liverpool & London & Globe Insurance Co. v. Assessors, ante, p. 221 U. S. 346, followed and applied as to right of state to tax insurance premiums due and extended by residents to nonresident companies although such premiums were due from local agents and not from policyholders.

Quaere whether any federal question was raised on this record as to excessive valuation of taxable credits; but, the assessments not being nullities, plaintiffs in error have not been deprived of their property without due process of law.

A state has power to fix a reasonable time within which actions for reduction of assessments must be taken. Kentucky Union Co. v. Kentucky, 219 U. S. 156.

Where a state statute prescribes a method for review and reduction of excessive valuation for taxes, the remedy must be availed of within the prescribed period, and one not availing thereof in time cannot attack the assessment as depriving him of property without due process of law.

124 La. 872 affirmed.

The facts, which involve the constitutionality and validity of tax assessments on a foreign insurance company in Louisiana, are stated in the opinion.

Page 221 U. S. 359