WHAT IS PERSONAL PROPERTY?
Personal property is everything other than real estate that is used in a business or to produce income. It includes such items as furniture, fixtures, office equipment, appliances, tools, machinery, signs, supplies, leasehold improvements, and equipment leased by the business. Businesses that require their employees to provide their own equipment, need to either report the equipment or provide the County Assessor with a list of the employees.
Personal property is usually considered not permanently affixed to or a part of the real property. Real property generally consists of land and buildings. The International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) uses two common tests, i.e., the intention of the person who put the item in place, and whether the item can be removed from the real estate without damage to the item or the real estate itself. A third "rule of thumb" test is whether the item is serving the building or whether the item is serving the process of production, manufacturing, etc.
The Personal Property Section of the Uintah County Assessor office also is responsible to assess the value of "manufactured housing" more commonly known as mobile homes.
ASSESSING PERSONAL PROPERTY IN UINTAH COUNTY:
- Business Personal Property
The State of Utah requires each business to file a statement listing all equipment and fixtures used in the business operation as of January 1st of each year (see U.C.A. 59-2-306).
At the beginning of each year a Personal Property Signed Statement is mailed to each property owner who was previously listed on the county records. Failure to receive an statement does not excuse a person from filing or from the penalties on late returns. Utah law requires the Assessor to place an estimate of value and a penalty of $100 or 10% whichever is greater on the accounts of those businesses which have not returned the statement (U.C.A. 59-2-307).
The statement is "self-assessing" which means that the owner lists the equipment used in the business, the year of purchase and the purchase price. The price is multiplied by a depreciation percentage to arrive at a taxable value. These depreciation percentages are supplied by the Utah State Tax Commission and are used statewide. The taxable values are then added and the total value is multiplied by the Tax Rate for the tax district where the business is located.
Statements for subsequent years will be printed with the equipment previously reported and the updated depreciation already applied. The business owner has only to make adjustments to the market value by adding or deleting the equipment acquired or disposed of during the previous year.
Statements are subject to auditing by the Utah State Tax Commission on behalf of the County.
Any equipment or fixtures that have escaped taxation may be assessed at any time as far back as five years prior to the time of discovery (U.C.A. 59-2-309).
If a property owner is dissatisfied with the taxable value of the personal property he or she may appeal by filing an application no later than 30 days after the mailing of the statement (U.C.A. 59-2-1005.2.)
Deputy Assessors in the Personal Property Section will be happy to help anyone with questions about how to fill out the affidavit.
SELF ASSESSING TAX INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT NOTICE
PERCENT GOOD TABLE
INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEWLY PURCHASED BUSINESS
- Personal Property--Mobile Homes
Tax Notices for mobile homes that are assessed as personal property are mailed out in January each year. After receipt of your tax notice the taxes are due within thirty (30) days. If payment is not made within 30 days, interest accrues and an administration fee may be imposed..
If you no longer own the mobile home in question you must contact the Assessor's Office. It is extremely important that the office be able to track the location and ownership of the mobile home. Neglecting to report changes on your account may lead us to billing you for taxes you do not owe. If changes have occurred, please click Mobile Home Data Form, fill out and either e-mail or mail it to the Assessor's Office.
If accounts are not paid, by statute, the Assessor's option for non-payment of taxes is seizure and sale.
If you have questions about your tax statement contact our office at (435) 781-5324.
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