Business Personal Property

All individual and/or business entities must file. e-Filing allows businesses to file electronically to fulfill this legal obligation. (R&T Code 441)

Yes. Failure to complete and file this form (571-L) will result in the Assessor estimating the value of your business property and adding a 10% penalty to the assessment. (R&T Code 441, 463 & 501)

Yes. There is a four (4) year statute of limitations, within which you can file an amended return subject to audit. Be sure to contact the Assessor's office and discuss your case with a deputy.

No. Any arrangement regarding property tax liability must be worked out contractually, between the buyer and seller.

Business personal property includes all property, except inventory items held for sale or short-term rental and real estate owned and/or used by a business. Examples of business personal property include office furniture, computers, machinery, drill presses, and hand tools. (SBE Assessors' Handbook, Section 501)

Basically, inventory are items subject to sale, rent or lease. Supplies are things consumed in your normal course of business. (AH 501)

For most property, the Assessor uses the cost reported by the current owner and applies a depreciation/market price factor in order to estimate market value.

Sales tax is part of the original cost to the buyer, just like freight and installation costs, it must be reported as part of your total cost. (SBE Assessor Handbook AH 501)

Between the time you submit your property's cost information on the form 571-L, and July 1st, you will normally receive a tax statement from the Tax Collector which includes a notation of the amount of value calculated by the Assessor. If you disagree with this value, you are encouraged to file an appeal with the Clerk of the Board. You can find appeal instructions and forms on the Clerk of the Board's website.