PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amending WAC 458-12-060
((Listing of personalty -- Burden on taxpayer to list.)) Listing
of personal property and 458-12-360 ((Assessment and
evaluation -- Notice of value change -- Real property)) Notice of
change in value of real property.
Repealing WAC 458-12-065 Listing personal property -- Form and notice, 458-12-070 Listing of personalty -- When due -- Late filing, 458-12-075 Personalty -- Filing by corporations, partnerships, firms or agents, and 458-12-080 Listing of personalty -- Manufacturers.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 84.08.010 and 84.08.070.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: WAC 458-12-060, 458-12-065, 458-12-070, 458-12-075, and 458-12-080 provide information about the listing of personal property for purposes of ad valorem taxation. The department anticipates updating and consolidating the information provided in these rules into a single rule, which will provide the information in a more efficient and user-friendly manner.
WAC 458-12-360 explains the requirement of county assessors to provide notice to taxpayers of any change in the true and fair value of real property as provided by RCW 84.40.045. The department anticipates updating this information and incorporating information currently contained in Property Tax Bulletins 91-4 (Notice of Value Change) and 91-18 (Revaluation Notice).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Modified negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Written comments may be submitted by mail, fax, or at the public meeting. Oral comments will be accepted at the public meeting. A preliminary draft of the proposed changes is available upon request. Written comments on and/or requests for copies of the rule may be directed to Mark Mullin, Tax Policy Specialist Legislation and Policy Division, State of Washington Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 47467, Olympia, WA 98504-7467, phone (360) 570-6112, fax (360) 664-0693, e-mail MarkM@dor.wa.gov.
Location and Date of Public Meeting: Capital Plaza Building, 4th Floor Large Conference Room, 1025 Union Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA, on February 26, 2003, at 1:30 p.m.
Assistant for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Sandy Davis no later than ten days before the hearing date, TDD 1-800-451-7985 or (360) 570-6175.
January 16, 2003
Alan R. Lynn
Rules Coordinator
Legislation and Policy Division
(2) Who is required to list personal property with the county assessor? Every person is required to list all taxable (i.e., nonexempt) personal property in the person's ownership, possession, or control. RCW 84.40.185 and 84.40.190. Every person required to list personal property must deliver to the county assessor a form (commonly referred to as a "statement" or "affidavit"), signed and verified under penalty of perjury, listing all of the taxable personal property that was located in the county as of 12:00 p.m. on January 1st of the assessment year. For purposes of this rule, the term "person" includes natural persons and artificial persons such as partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, associations, trusts, and estates.
(a) What if the owner of personal property moves to another county or into this state after January 1st? The owner of taxable personal property who moves from one county to another between January 1st and July 1st will be assessed in the county whose assessor fist calls upon the owner to make a listing. The owner of personal property who moves into this state from another state between January 1st and July 1st must make a listing of taxable personal property that the person owned on January 1st of the assessment year with the assessor in the county in which the person resides.
If the owner of personal property moves to another county or into this state after January 1st and can satisfy the assessor that the owner's property has been assessed and will be held liable for the tax on the current year in another state or county, the owner cannot be assessed again for the current year. RCW 84.44.080.
(b) How should property be identified on the personal property affidavit? Each item of taxable personal property must be listed on the affidavit, and each category of personal property must be separately identified. For example, office equipment must be separately identified as computers, desks, facsimile machines, etc. If deemed practicable, the assessor may permit consolidation of items of personal property with a total value of $1,000 or less in one entry on the affidavit under the heading, "Miscellaneous Items of Personal Property." When this consolidation is made, the cost reported by the taxpayer must be identified as "Miscellaneous Tools and Equipment," "Miscellaneous Machinery" or by similar designation indicating the category of property reported.
(c) What other information must be included in the personal property affidavit? In addition to a listing of all items of taxable personal property identified by category, a personal property affidavit must also include:
(i) The date of acquisition for each item of personal property; and
(ii) The total original cost of each item of personal property. For purposes of listing taxable personal property, the total original cost of an item includes all costs associated with making the property operational but excludes sales tax. For example, installation, freight, and engineering charges are costs that may be incurred while placing property into operation. The value of any trade-in is to be included as part of the acquisition cost.
(d) How to the exemptions for household goods, furnishings, and personal effects and for the head of a family affect listing? RCW 84.36.110 provides exemptions for the head of a family and for household goods, furnishings, and personal effects. Information about these exemptions and their effect on listing is provided in WAC 458-16-115.
(e) What if the affidavit is not signed and verified? A personal property affidavit must contain a written declaration that any person signing the affidavit and knowing it to be false is subject to the penalties of perjury. RCW 84.40.335. The assessor may not accept an affidavit that is not signed and which is not verified under penalty of perjury. RCW 84.40.060 provides that any personal property affidavit that is not signed and verified under penalty of perjury will not be considered in any way to constitute compliance, or an attempt at compliance, with the listing requirements of chapter 84.40 RCW.
(f) What if the assessor believes that an incomplete or inaccurate listing has been made? When the assessor believes that an incomplete or inaccurate listing has been made, the assessor has the following remedies:
(i) If the assessor believes that a person listing personal property for himself or herself, or on behalf of a principal (e.g., another person, company, or corporation) has not made a full, fair, and complete listing of such property, the assessor may examine the person under oath in regard to the amount of the property the person is required to list. If the person refuses to answer under oath, the assessor may list the property of that person, or of that person's principal, according to the assessor's best judgment and information. RCW 84.40.110. Any oath authorized to be administered under Title 84 RCW may be administered by any assessor or deputy assessor, or by any other officer having authority to administer oaths. Any person wilfully making a false list, schedule, or statement under oath is subject to the penalties of perjury. RCW 84.40.120.
(ii) For the purpose of verifying any list, statement, or schedule required to be furnished to the assessor by any taxpayer, any assessor or the assessor's trained and qualified deputy may visit, investigate, and examine any personal property at any reasonable time. For the purposes of this verification, the records, accounts, and inventories, which will aid in determining the amount and valuation of the property, will also be subject to visitation, investigation, and examination. The visitation, investigation, and examination may be performed at any office of the taxpayer in this state, and the taxpayer is required to furnish or make available all the information pertaining to property in this state to the assessor even though the records may be maintained at any office outside this state. RCW 84.40.340.
(g) When are personal property affidavits due? Affidavits of personal property are due on or before the last day of April. RCW 84.40.040. A penalty will be added to the amount of tax assessed if a statement is not filed by the due date. RCW 84.40.130. Refer to WAC 458-12-110 for detailed information about the penalties imposed under RCW 84.40.130.
(3) Assessor's duty to maintain list of persons liable to assessment. Assessors must maintain an alphabetical list of the names and last known addresses of all property owners in the county who are subject to assessment of personal property. On or before January 1st of each year, the assessor is required to mail a notice to such persons that a listing is required along with an affidavit. The notice and affidavit must be in accordance with forms prescribed by the department of revenue. If practicable, the notice and affidavit mailed to each taxpayer must include a copy of the previous year's affidavit. RCW 84.40.040. Furthermore, a copy of the taxpayer's previous year's affidavit must be provided to the taxpayer upon the taxpayer's request.
(a) What if I do not receive an affidavit from the assessor? Property owners who are subject to assessment of personal property and any other person required to list personal property are responsible for filing a personal property affidavit regardless of whether or not the person receives an affidavit in the mail from the assessors.
(b) What are the assessor' duties upon receipt of a signed and verified affidavit? Upon receipt of a signed and verified affidavit, the assessor will determine the true and fair value of the property listed in the affidavit and enter one hundred percent of the true and fair value of the property on the assessment roll opposite the name of the party assessed (i.e., the owner of the property). The assessor may, after giving written notice of the action to the person assessed, and to the assessment list any taxable property that should have been included in the list but was omitted by the taxpayer. RCW 84.40.040.
A copy of the completed personal property affidavit containing the assessor's determination of the true and fair value of the property assessed must be provided to the person assessed, or to the person listing the property. RCW 84.40.200.
(4) Filing personal property affidavits by corporations, unincorporated organizations, trusts, estates, or by an agent. This subsection provides information about the filing of personal property affidavits by corporations, unincorporated organizations, trusts, estates, or by an agent acting on behalf of a person required to make and provide an affidavit.
(a) Corporations. A personal property affidavit required to be submitted by a corporation must be signed by the president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, chief accounting officer, or any other officer duly authorized to so act. RCW 84.40.190.
(b) Unincorporated organizations. A personal property affidavit required to be submitted by a partnership or other unincorporated organization must be signed by a partner or a responsible and duly authorized member or officer having knowledge of the organization's affairs. RCW 84.40.190.
(c) Trusts or estates. A personal property affidavit required to be submitted by a trust or estate must be signed by the fiduciary. RCW 84.40.190. A "fiduciary" means a person having a duty, created by the person's undertaking, to act primarily for anther's benefit in matters connected with such undertaking. For example, a trustee of a trust or a personal representative of an estate if a fiduciary.
(d) Agents. A personal property affidavit may be made and signed by an agent on behalf of a principal if the agent is authorized to do so by a power of attorney executed by the principal and filed with the assessor. RCW 84.40.190. A "principal" is someone who has permitted or directed another (i.e., an agent) to act for the principal's benefit and who is subject to the direction or control of the principal. If properly executed, the assessor must accept the power of attorney and keep a copy of it on file. The power of attorney will be effective until it expires or is revoked. An agent can make and sign a personal property affidavit on behalf of a principal who is a corporation, unincorporated organization, trust, estate, or other person required to submit an affidavit to the assessor. For example, a corporation may authorize an employee of an accounting firm to prepare and sign a personal property affidavit for the corporation by executing a power of attorney and filing it with the assessor.
In the case of corporations, unincorporated organizations, trusts, or estates, it is not necessary for an individual identified in subsection (4)(a), (b), or (c) of this rule to file a power of attorney with the assessor. The act of the individual will be considered that of the corporation, unincorporated organization, trust, or estate that the individual represents for purposes of the penalties found in RCW 84.40.130 without the necessity of filing a power of attorney. For example, a president of a corporation may submit a personal property affidavit to the assessor for the corporation without having to file a power of attorney with the assessor.
(i) "Power of attorney" includes any written authorization to prepare and sign a personal property affidavit executed by an authorized officer or the board of directors of a corporation or by a partner, owner, or fiduciary. "Authorized officer," as used in the preceding sentence, means a person who has been appointed by the board of directors to designate, by name or title, an employee or agent to execute and file personal property affidavits on behalf of the corporation.
(ii) When the assessor believes that a full, fair, and complete listing of property has not been made on behalf of a principal, the assessor may require the agent to provide evidence of his or her authority.
(iii) When any list, schedule, statement, or affidavit is made and signed by an agent, the principal required to make out and deliver the list, schedule, statement, or affidavit will be responsible for the contents and the filing thereof and will be liable for the penalties imposed under RCW 84.40.130. Refer to WAC 458-12-110 for detailed information about the penalties imposed under RCW 84.40.130.
(5) Listing of personal property by manufacturers. A manufacturer must make and deliver to the assessor a personal property affidavit. The listing is made in the county where the business is located. The affidavit must include the manufacture's stock, engines, machinery, and other non-exempt personal property, together with the date of acquisition and total original cost for each item. Detailed information about the cost of personal property is contained in subsection (2)(c)(ii) of this rule. Manufacturer's stock that constitutes "business inventories," as that term is defined in RCW 84.36.477, is exempt from ad valorem taxation and need not be included in the personal property affidavit.
Fixtures considered by the assessor as part of any parcel of real property should not be included in a manufacturer's personal property affidavit. For detailed information about fixtures or trade fixtures, refer to WAC 458-12-005 and 458-12-010.
(a) Who is a "manufacturer"? A "manufacturer" is any person who purchases, receives, or holds personal property of any description for the purpose of adding to the value thereof by any process of manufacturing, refining, rectifying, or by the combination of different materials with the view of making gain or profit by do doing. RCW 84.40.210.
(b) What is "manufacturer's stock"? "Manufacturer's stock" includes all articles purchased, received, or otherwise held for the purpose of being used in whole or in part in any process or processes of manufacturing, combining, rectifying, or refining.
(c) What if property listed in the affidavit has also been listed and assessed as part of any parcel of real property? On receipt of the manufacturer's personal property affidavit, the assessor will delete from the assessment the value of any engines and machinery that the assessor knows to have been assessed as part of any parcel of real property (i.e., as a fixture). A copy of the corrected assessment will be provided to the manufacturer.
[Order PT 68-6, § 458-12-060, filed 4/29/68.]
The notice shall be mailed on or before June 15th of each year and shall contain a statement of the true and fair value on which the assessment of the property is based, and a brief statement of the procedure for appeal to the board of equalization including the time, date, and place of the meetings of the board.
"Taxpayer" shall mean the person charged, or whose property is charged with property tax, and whose name appears on the most recent tax roll or has been otherwise provided to the assessor.
"Legal owner" shall mean the person holding legal title to the property against which property tax is charged. (Rule derived from section 10, chapter 146, 1967 ex. sess.))) (1) Introduction. This rule explains the requirement of county assessors to notify taxpayers of any change in the true and fair value of real property as provided by RCW 84.40.045. For purposes of this rule, the notice of a change in the true and fair value of real property is referred to as a revaluation notice.
(2) When must a revaluation notice be provided? All revaluation notices must be mailed within thirty days of the completed appraisal, except that no revaluation notices can be mailed during the period from January 15th to February 15th of each year. Also, if the true and fair value of the real property appraised has not changed, no revaluation notice need be sent to the taxpayer following the completed appraisal.
The following examples identify a number of facts and then state a conclusion. These examples should be used only as a general guide. The status of each situation must be determined after a review of all of the facts and circumstances.
(a) On January 5th the assessor completes an appraisal of a home and the land upon which it sits. The total value of the land and home increased as a result of the appraisal. The assessor must mail a revaluation notice to the taxpayer by February 16th; however, the assessor is not allowed to mail the revaluation notice between January 15 and February 15th.
(b) The assessor appraises a home and the land upon which it sits. The value of the home decreases, and the value of the land increases; however, the total value of the home and land remain unchanged. The assessor is not required to mail a revaluation notice to the taxpayer. Under RCW 84.40.045, revaluation notices are only required when there is a change in the true and fair value of the real property that is the subject of the appraisal. In this example, although there is a change in the true and fair value of the home and land, there is no overall change in the true and fair value of the real property that was the subject of the appraisal.
(3) What if an assessor fails to provide a timely revaluation notice? The failure to provide a timely revaluation notice as required by RCW 84.40.045 does not invalidate the assessment. RCW 84.40.045 does not affect RCW 84.40.020 which provides, in relevant part, that all real property in this state subject to taxation must be listed and assessed every year, at its value on January 1st of the assessment year.
A taxpayer who fails to timely appeal an assessor's determination of value to the county board of equalization (board) because of the assessor's failure to timely provide a revaluation notice may still petition the board for a review of the assessor's determination of value. A board may reconvene on is own authority in certain circumstances, including upon request of a taxpayer who has not received a timely revaluation notice. The taxpayer must submit to the board a sworn affidavit stating that a revaluation notice for the current assessment year was not received by the taxpayer at least fifteen calendar days prior to the deadline for filing the petition for review of the assessor's determination of value, and the taxpayer can show proof that the value was actually changed. (For additional information about appealing an assessor's determination of value to the county board, refer to chapter 458-14 WAC.)
(4) Who is entitled to receive a revaluation notice? The assessor is required by law to mail revaluation notices to the taxpayer. RCW 84.40.045. For purposes of this rule, "taxpayer" means the person charged, or whose property is charged, with property tax and whose name appears on the most recent tax roll or has been otherwise provided to the assessor.
If any taxpayer, as shown by the tax rolls, holds only a security interest under a mortgage, contract of sale, or deed of trust in the real property that is the subject of the revaluation notice, the taxpayer is required to supply, within thirty days of receiving a written request from the assessor, the name and address of the person making payments under the mortgage, contract of sale, or deed of trust. The assessor must mail a copy of the revaluation notice to the person making payments under the mortgage, contract of sale, or deed of trust at the address provided by the taxpayer. The assessor is required to make the request provided for in this subsection during the month of January. A taxpayer who willfully fails to comply with such a request from the assessor within the thirty-day time limitation is subject to a maximum civil penalty of five thousand dollars. The civil penalty is recoverable in an action by the county prosecutor and, when recovered, must be deposited in the county current expense fund.
(5) What information must a revaluation notice contain? A revaluation notice must contain the following information.
(a) The name and address of the taxpayer;
(b) A description of the real property that is the subject of the revaluation notice;
(c) The previous and new true and fair values, stating separately land and improvement values;
(d) A statement that the assessed value is one hundred percent (100%) of the true and fair value;
(e) If the property is classified on the basis of its current use, the previous and new current use value of the property, stating separately land and improvement values;
(f) A statement informing taxpayers that if they would like to learn more about how their property was valued for tax purposes and how their property taxes will be determined, they may obtain an information pamphlet describing the property tax system from the assessor's office free of charge;
(g) A statement that land used for farm and agricultural purposes, to preserve open space, or for the commercial growth and harvesting of forest crops may be eligible for assessment based on the land's current use rather than its highest and best use. This statement must also provide information on the method of making application and availability of further information on current use classification;
(h) A statement informing taxpayers that if they own and live in a residence in the county, including a mobile home, are now or will be 61 years of age by December 31st of the current year, or are retired because of physical disability, and if their combined disposable income is under the limits provided in RCW 84.36.381, they may be eligible to receive a property tax exemption. Although not statutorily required, it is suggested that a revaluation notice contain a statement that if you are a senior citizen or a disabled person, you may be able to defer payment of your property taxes. This statement should include information about how further information about property tax deferrals for senior citizens and disabled persons may be obtained; and
(i) A brief statement of the procedure for appeal to the county board of equalization and the time, date, and place of the meetings of the board. The following language is suggested: "You may appeal either the true and fair value and/or current use assessed value to the county board of equalization. An appeal petition may be obtained from the board of equalization. Petitions for a hearing must be filed with the board of equalization on or before July 1st of the assessment year, or within (number of days) of the date of the revaluation notice, whichever is later. Petitions received after those dates will be denied on the grounds of not having been timely filed. The board of equalization will convene on July 15th in the (name of office) at (name of city or town), Washington, and will continue in session for a period not to exceed four weeks. The board of equalization is to review and equalize the assessments of the current year for taxes payable the following year."
[Order PT 68-6, § 458-12-360, filed 4/29/68.]