Assessment of Property in Possession of Commission Merchants and Assignees and Consignees Authorized to Sell

Commission merchants and all persons trading and dealing on commission, assignees and consignees authorized to sell and persons having in their possession goods, wares, or merchandise belonging to another and subject to taxation in any county, city, or town of Alabama, where said property is located, when the owner of the property does not reside in the county, are deemed to be owners of the property in their possession for the purpose of assessment, and unless such goods, wares, or merchandise have been otherwise listed for taxation, the same shall be listed separately from any other goods, wares, or merchandise owned by such person, firm, or corporation for taxation, and the name of the assignor or consignor shall be listed on the return, the same shall be assessed for taxation to the person, firm, or corporation who has such goods, wares, or merchandise in their possession, and in no case shall the assessment be less than the amount specified by law on the fair and reasonable market value of the average amount of goods, wares, and merchandise so held during the 12 months next preceding October 1 when same are due to be assessed for taxation. In assessing such stock of goods, wares, or merchandise, the assessor shall require the production of the last inventory taken and attach the same to the tax return list, and if in the judgment of the assessor such inventory is incorrect or if such time has elapsed since the inventory was taken that it shall have ceased to be reliable as to the value or amount thereof, he shall have the right to examine the books of the person who has the property in his possession or the property itself or use such other information as he can obtain.