The tax assessor is authorized to appoint deputies, and the acts of such deputies shall be recognized as his acts, and he shall be responsible for any loss sustained by any taxpayer or by the state or county by reason of any unlawful act done by any such deputies. Such deputies shall receive no compensation for their services out of the state or county revenue, except in cases otherwise provided by law.
Ala. Code § 40-4-6 (1975)