03/24/2008: "Business Owners & Farmers May Owe Personal Tax"

All Commercial Business Owners, and all Farmers in the Open Space Farm & Agriculture Program, are required to file an annual listing of their taxable personal property each year.

If the assessor does not receive your form, the assessor will estimate the value of the property based on the best information available.

There is a penalty for Failing to File: To avoid a penalty, the assessor must receive your listing form by April 30. The penalty is five percent (5%) of the tax due per month, up to a maximum of twenty five percent (25%).

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Most people know that property tax applies to real property. However, some may not know that property tax also applies to personal property used in a business. Personal property includes machinery, equipment, furniture, and supplies of businesses and farmers. Personal property is subject to the same levy rate as real property.

Personal Property Tax Forms: If you use personal property in your business that is not exempt, you must complete a Personal Property Tax Listing Form by April 30 each year.

Non-Reporting Businesses: As a property owner, you are responsible for filing a personal property listing form each year - even if you do not receive the form by mail. If you need a listing form, they are available at the San Juan County Assessor’s Office.

Additional information is available by contacting the Assessor’s Office at assessor@co.san-juan.wa.us or 360-378-2172.