Personal Property

What is Personal Property?

For property tax purposes in Arizona, personal property is defined as all types of property except real estate.
Taxable personal property includes property used for commercial, industrial, and agricultural purposes.
Personal property is considered to be movable and not permanently attached to real estate. Although there are exceptions, personal property usually can be removed without causing damage to either the real estate from which it is removed or the item of the property itself.

Manufactured housing (mobile homes) are also personal property unless the owners file an affidavit affixing the unit to their real estate (land).

Property taxes in Arizona are imposed on both real and personal property.
Is All personal property taxed?
The Arizona Constitution and Arizona Statutes offer several exemptions from personal property tax. 
Personal property used by the owner for private, domestic purposes is NOT subject to personal property taxation (except for manufactured homes.)  Examples include household goods, furnishings, personal wardrobes, jewelry, or recreational possessions used in the owner’s residence or for private activities.

Governmental or charitable organizations defined in ARS§§ 42-11101 thru 42-11129 MAY be exempt from property taxes with the approval of the County Assessor. Business inventory, raw materials, merchandise held for resale and most livestock are exempt from personal property taxes.
Vehicles licensed by the state for use on the public highways, waterways, or airspace are NOT reported as taxable personal property.

Most personal property leased or rented to others IS taxable.  Contact Assessor’s Office for specific record-keeping instructions.

Please see the links above for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Property

How is Personal Property Valued?

Personal Property is based on the original acquisition and age of all qualifying property in your possession as of December 31 of the prior year. The Assessor’s Office calculates the assessed value of each item.  The assessed value is based on the full cash value minus exemptions, multiplied by the assessment ratio of subsequent legal class. The tax rates for the governmental jurisdictions in which the business operates are applied to the net assessed value.

The cost of a Personal Property item includes; the purchase price, freight, installation costs, and sales taxes.  The Assessor’s Office mails the Personal Property notice of value every summer.

How to appeal Personal Property Valuation?

Tax rates and taxes are not subject to appeal. A property owner may appeal the VALUE of the Personal Property by filing a Personal Property Petition for Review of Valuation form 82530 within 30 days of receiving a Notice of Valuation. If the owner is dissatisfied with the Assessor’s decision on the appeal, the owner may appeal to the Board of Equalization or to the Arizona State Tax courts.

Correction of Personal Property Errors

An error must be exclusively factual in nature and be objectively verifiable without the exercise of discretion, opinion, or judgment and must be demonstrated by clear and convincing evidence.  A taxpayer Notice of Claim form # 82179PT must be filed with the Assessor’s office if there was an error of their reported Personal Property. The #82179PT form identifies the type of error and the proposed correction of the error. This form allows for a response by the receiving party, who either consents to the proposed correction or disputes the proposed correction and requests a meeting with the Assessor.

How is Personal Property Taxed?

Personal Property taxes are billed by the Mohave County Treasurer. Tax rates are set by the Mohave County Board of Supervisors.