Legal Opinion

May v. Slack

U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts

Decided May 7, 1872PublishedCited by 3 opinions

Samuel May died February 23, 1870, testate, and by will, dated February 15, 1862, and by codicil, dated February 15, 1870, bequeathed certain pecuniary legacies. Said will and codicil was admitted to probate March 28, 1870, and the plaintiffs [John J. May and others] duly appointed executors. In September, 1870, the plaintiffs made a partial payment of some of the legacies upon which a legacy tax was paid, respecting which no question is raised.

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Samuel May died February 23, 1870, testate, and by will, dated February 15, 1862, and by codicil, dated February 15, 1870, bequeathed certain pecuniary legacies. Said will and codicil was admitted to probate March 28, 1870, and the plaintiffs [John J. May and others] duly appointed executors. In September, 1870, the plaintiffs made a partial payment of some of the legacies upon which a legacy tax was paid, respecting which no question is raised. In April, 1871, the plaintiffs paid all said legacies in full, and the United States assessor assessed upon the sums so paid in April, 1S71, certain…

1Opinion of the Court

LOWELL, District Judge.

This is an action to recover back the legacy duties assessed upon certain bequests made by the late Mr. May, who died February 23, 1870, before, but less than one year before, the repeal of the .duty. The act of July 14, 1870, repealed the tax on legacies and successions on and after the first day of October, then next, section 17 saving “all taxes properly assessed or liable to be assessed, or accruing under the provisions of former acts or drawbacks, the right to which has already accrued or which may hereafter accrue under said acts.” The plaintiff’s position is:…

2Cited by3 opinions

  1. Clapp v. MasonSupreme Court of the United States · 1877
  2. United States v. HunnewellU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Massachusetts · 1882
  3. United States v. TownsendUnited States Circuit Court · 1881

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