Aircraft Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I have to pay taxes on my airplane?
How is the value determined?
Why do I have an Aircraft Statement?
What will happen if I do not return the Aircraft Statement
What if I do not agree with the value?
Why do I have a penalty on my tax bill for my aircraft?
I paid the taxes when I purchased the airplane. Why am I paying taxes again?
Where will my airplane be assessed since I take it to many locations?
What should I do when I sell my airplane?
I sold or disposed of my airplane after January 1st. Why do I have a tax bill?
I sold or disposed of my airplane before January 1st. Why do I have a tax bill?
Can my taxes be prorated?
I filed bankruptcy. Why do I have to pay the tax?
Why do I have to pay taxes on my airplane?
California Constitution Article XIII and Revenue and Taxation Code Section 201 states that all property is taxable unless it is stated that it is exempt. Personal property is not exempt.
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How is the value determined?
The value is determined by reviewing the Aircraft Statement returned annually, purchase price of similar aircraft, and value guides such as Aircraft Blue Book.
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Why do I have an Aircraft Statement?
This is a requirement of section 441(d) of the Revenue and Taxation
Code. Statements are sent in order to gather the most up to date information on the property so that an accurate value can be determined.
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What will happen if I do not return the Aircraft Statement?
It is important that the statement be returned even if you no longer own the aircraft. If a statement is not returned, an estimated assessment will be made using the best information available, and a 10% penalty on the assessed value will be added for failure to file per Revenue & Taxation Code 463.
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What if I do not agree with the value?
You may call, email, or write to the Assessor’s Office to discuss the value and request an informal review. You can also file an Application for Changed Assessment with the Assessment Appeals Board by calling (530) 889-4020. (http://www.placer.ca.gov/bos/Clerk/PTaxAppl.aspx)
Should your value notice be the result of an Escape Assessment, you have 60 days from the date of the Notice of Enrollment of Escape Assessment to file an application.
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Why do I have a penalty on my tax bill for my aircraft?
Either the Assessor’s request to file a valid statement was not received by May 7th or no statement was received. Revenue & Taxation Code 463 mandates that a late filing penalty of 10% of the assessed value be added for valid statements not timely filed by May 7th. The Assessment Appeals Board is the only authority with the ability to abate a penalty for late filing. (http://www.placer.ca.gov/bos/Clerk/PTaxAppl.aspx)
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I paid the taxes when I purchased the airplane. Why am I paying taxes again?
Sales tax and property taxes are two different types of taxes. Sales tax is paid at the time of purchase, and personal property taxes are paid annually.
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Where will my airplane be assessed since I take it to many locations?
The aircraft should be assessed where habitually situated. The location where an aircraft is habitually situated is the airport at which the aircraft is usually present when not in flight. If an aircraft spends a substantial amount of time at multiple airports, it is habitually situated at the airport where it spends the most ground time.
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What should I do when I sell my airplane?
Contact the Federal Aviation Administration, and notify the Assessor’s Office in writing with information regarding the sale
or by filing an Aircraft Affidavit. (http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Assessor/Forms/BusinessForms/PCA529Boat-AircraftAffidavit.aspx)
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I sold or disposed of my airplane after January 1st. Why do I have a tax bill?
Under California Law, the owner of an airplane at 12:01 a.m., January 1 lien date, is responsible for taxes and must be assessed at full value. Sale or disposal of property after the lien date does not relieve the assessee of the obligation to pay taxes.
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I sold or disposed of my airplane before January 1st. Why do I have a tax bill?
Please complete and return an Aircraft Affidavit to the Placer County Assessor’s Office. Based upon that affidavit, an informal review of your assessment will be completed. (http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Assessor/Forms/BusinessForms/PCA529Boat-AircraftAffidavit.aspx)
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Can my taxes be prorated?
No. Unsecured bills are never prorated regardless of disposal date. Any proration of taxes should be done between the buyer and seller at the time of sale.
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I filed bankruptcy. Why do I have to pay the tax?
Bankruptcy does not relieve the Assessor of determining a fair market value. Assessed value and payment of taxes are separate issues. You should contact the Placer County Tax Collector at (530) 889-4120 for issues regarding whether payment is required after bankruptcy. (http://www.placer.ca.gov/Departments/Tax.aspx)
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