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Personal Property

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1. What is personal property?

Taxable personal property includes machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc. held for use in a business. This includes property not currently in use, and property held in storage.

2. How is personal property assessed?

The Assessor is responsible to value and assess all taxable personal property that is located in the county on January 1st each year at 100% of its real market value (RMV). Oregon law requires that each individual, partnership, firm, or corporation having taxable personal property in their possession or control, must file a return listing all property by March 15th each year.

3. How do I complete the Confidential Personal Property Return?

If you filed a return in prior years, you will file online. If you are filing for the first time, you must complete the entire form with these steps:

• Verify property location, name, and mailing address.
• Complete Schedules 1 through 4 and the Taxpayer’s Declaration.
• Include a detailed, itemized list for Schedule 5.
• Return the completed form and asset list to the assessor’s office located at:
  1036 SE Douglas Avenue
  Roseburg, OR 97470

4. The equipment I use is my personal equipment; must I report it?

Yes. You must report all personal property that is associated and used in the ordinary course of business. Example: John operates an auto repair shop and uses his personal tools in the business. The tools are taxable as business personal property and must be reported.

5. The equipment I use was a gift to me. How do I report this equipment?

You will report the equipment and estimate the current market value. Enter your estimate of value in the Owner’s Opinion of Market Value box, and add a note stating that the asset was a gift. When estimating the equipment’s value consider what it would cost to replace the asset, or if you were to sell that asset, the price you would accept.

6. We have incorporated since our last filing and the assets do not belong to the corporation, do we still have to report them?

Yes. You must report all personal property used in conjunction with the business regardless of whether the assets are borrowed, owned, leased, rented, or from your home. Report leased and rented property on Schedule 1.

7. Most of the equipment I use belongs to friends and family members. I have no idea of the equipment cost. Must I report equipment I do not own?

Yes, you must report all personal property used in your business. You will report rented or leased property on Schedule 1 and include all information requested in that schedule. Oregon law requires both lessor/lessee and owner/renter to report. If you do not know the cost information of the property, provide your opinion of value with a notation that cost information is not available.

8. I only rent an office and all the furniture and equipment belongs to the landlord. Do I still have to complete the personal property form?

Yes. Explain your situation and provide the landlord’s name and mailing address, along with a full list of all assets. Do not forget to report any small items you own, including any personal items you brought from home, and supplies.

9. I lease all my equipment. Must I still complete a Personal Property return?

Yes. You must complete Schedule 1 of the return. Refer to question 7 about using others’ equipment for more information.

10. I have a business in my home. Do I need to file a Personal Property Return?

Yes. All equipment used in your home business is business personal property. Report the full cost of all equipment. Do not prorate the cost based on personal use versus business use.

11. What are supplies?

Supplies are any item consumed in your business. Examples include:

• Calculator tape
• Cleaning supplies
• Envelopes
• Fuel
• Office supplies
• Paper
• Pencils
• Printer cartridges
• Spare parts
• Toner

Inventory

Supplies vary widely depending on the type of business. Materials or supplies that become part of the finished product are considered inventory and therefore not taxable.

12. May I amend my return after it has been filed?

There is no provision in Oregon law to amend a return. However, if you made an error on your return, or have additional information to report, email Personal Property or call the Assessor’s office at 541-440-4222.

13. Why don't you lower the values on my asset list?

The asset list does not contain values. The asset list is simply a convenience for you so you do not have to re-list all Schedule 5 property each year.

14. I went out of business prior to January 1st. Must I file a return?

Yes. You must report when you closed, and what you did with the personal property asset

15. I sold my business. Do I need to report this information?

Yes. Notify our office at 541-440-4222 regarding the sale and we will contact the new owner.

16. Does the Assessor prorate taxes between buyer and seller when a business is sold?

No. Any arrangement regarding personal property tax liability is the responsibility of the buyer and seller.

17. I went out of business on January 15th, do I need to file a return and pay personal property taxes?

Yes. The law requires that all taxable personal property be assessed as of 1 am, January 1st regardless of what transpires after that date.

18. I was not open for business on January 1st. Do I need to report?

Yes. A business may not be open for business but may have taxable personal property. For example, on January 1st a pizza parlor is under construction and nearly ready for opening. Although the business is not yet open, the assets are in the owner’s possession (furniture, ovens, signage, cash registers, supplies, etc.) and are taxable as of January 1st.

19. How much is the late filing penalty?

The penalty is a percentage of the tax and is determined by the date the return is filed. Returns filed after March 15th and on or before June 1st are subject to a 5% penalty; after June 1st and on or before August 1st the penalty is 25%; and after August 1st the penalty is 50%. If you do not file a return you will receive a 50% penalty.

20. We are an exempt organization. Do we need to file a personal property return?

Yes. Property tax exemption is not automatic. You must file an application for exemption with our office and certain criteria must be met.

21. We are a non-profit organization, why are we paying taxes on our personal property?

Exempt status is not automatically granted, you must make an application with our office and meet certain criteria. If an exemption is granted it is for owned property only, you still have to report leased or rented property and make a separate application for that property.

22. What happens if I refuse to file a Personal Property return?

If a property owner refuses to file the return, the Assessor is required to use the best information available to estimate the real market value of the property. In addition, a 50% penalty for failure to file the return will also be imposed.

23. How do I know if my business is located in Douglas County?

The following list identifies the cities and towns located within Douglas County, Oregon. An asterisk (*) indicates that the entity is not incorporated.

• Ada*
• Ash Valley*
• Azalea*
• Camas Valley
• Canyonville
• Curtin*
• Days Creek*
• Diamond Lake*
• Dillard*
• Dixonville*
• Drain
• Elkton
• Gardiner*
• Glendale
• Glide*
• Green*
• Idleyld Park*
• Lemolo*
• Lookingglass*
• Loon Lake*
• Milo*
• Myrtle Creek
• Oakland
• Quines Creek*
• Reedsport
• Rice Hill*
• Riddle
• Roseburg
• Salmon Harbor*
• Scottsburg*
• Smith River*
• Steamboat*
• Sutherlin
• Tenmile*
• Tiller*
• Toketee*
• Tri-City*
• Umpqua*
• Wilbur*
• Winchester*
• Winchester Bay*
• Winston
• Yoncalla

24. How do I contact the Assessor's Personal Property Section?

Douglas County Courthouse
1036 SE Douglas
Room 206, Main Floor
Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: 541-440-6105
Fax: 541-957-2091

Hours
Monday through Friday
8 am to 5 pm

Friday
Closed

Appointments are recommended