Whenever any corporation has been dissolved or the assets of the corporation for any reason have passed entirely from the control of the corporation into the possession of its former stockholders or other persons without the payment of income taxes due the state, the commissioner shall have the right to bring action against any or all persons possessing the assets for the collection of any income taxes that may be due the state up to the value of the assets. If the assets have come into the possession of more than one person, each person shall have the right to prorate the amount of the tax according to the value of the assets coming into each person's possession.