Personal tangible property taxes: A basic guide for home & business owners

by Cary Garcia 04/23/2023

Personal tangible property is a tax term referring to physical property used in running your commercial or rental business. While general property taxes concern the actual land and buildings, personal tangible property taxes are related to equipment, furnishings, vehicles and more. If you own a business or rental property, it's important to understand how these taxes work. Here is some basic info to know:

Examples of tangible personal property

Tangible personal property is any asset used for your rental or commercial business. To qualify as tangible personal property, the assets must have a physical existence. Therefore, important assets like copyrights or patents do not count. Here are some examples of common forms of tangible personal property:

  • office furniture
  • equipment and machinery
  • computers, cell phones and other digital devices
  • delivery vehicles

Some other examples of tangible personal property can include:

  • jewelry
  • collectables
  • sports & hobby memorabilia 

How tangible personal property is taxed

Tangible personal property is taxed in a similar way to land or building property. Landlords and companies must determine the value of their business assets and report them in a separate tax return. Depending on the state, the value might be dependent on the purchase price, assessed value or appraisal. Assets are taxed based on a percentage of their value. Depending on the asset, you may have to pay taxes on personal tangible property annually or only once.

If you're a property or business owner, it's important to be aware of what qualifies as personal tangible property. If you're not sure if your assets qualify, you can consult with your local tax authority to find out the specific requirements of your state and municipality.

About the Author
Author

Cary Garcia

As a real estate broker licensed in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., I work strictly by referral. For over 20 years, my success has hinged entirely on detailed, efficient service to clients like you.

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Finding a real estate agent is easy. Finding a skilled agent is the hardest…What separates me from other real estate agents is my extensive knowledge of contract law. You need an agent who understands the legality of the contract by enforcing the terms of the offer as well as all of the contingencies, addendums and disclosures. Before signing the offer, I will thoroughly explain the contract in detail, so you understand what you are committing to.I bring an expert’s perspective to help buyers and sellers make the right decisions. 

Because I understand the legal and highly emotional aspects associated with real estate transactions, I am able to provide expert guidance to help you make informed and educated decisions. In addition, I’m very skilled at project coordination. 

With so many people involved in the home sale process, I know how to create satisfying resolutions and make the process go as smoothly and successfully as possible.