From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer
To: Rabbi Yitzchak Hersh
The Chasam Sofer provides a comprehensive framework for communal tax assessment: merchandise is valued at current market price, jewelry and silverware at broken-metal weight with a personal-use exemption, and debts at principal only — with active debts fully taxable, stale debts over two years assessed at half value, and uncollectable debts exempt pending future recovery. The entire ruling is subject to override by contrary local custom.
Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer CM §59