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1. Why do I have to file a Business Property Statement?

An annual filing of a Business Property Statement (PDF) is a requirement of section 441(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. Statements are sent in order to gather the most up to date information on the business property so that an accurate value can be determined.

2. What is this BOE 571 Business Property Statement form used for?

This is a requirement of section 441(d) of the California Revenue and Taxation Code. An Assessor’s request for the filing of an annual statement is sent in order to gather the most up to date information on the business property so that an accurate value can be determined.

3. What will happen if I do not file the Business Property Statement form?

It is important that the statement be returned even if you no longer own the business property. 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 as mandated by the California Revenue and Taxation Code section 463.

4. What if the due date to file a Business Property Statement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday?

Whenever the due date for filing a Business Property Statement falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the statement may be filed by the close of business (5 p.m.) on the next regular business day with the same effect as if it had been filed on the specified due date.

5. How do I fill out the form?

Refer to the instructions provided. If you still have questions, please contact the Assessor’s Office at 530-889-4300 or visit our office.

6. Can I return my completed Business Property Statement by fax or as an email attachment?

Statements returned to the Assessor by fax or email must be accompanied by a cover letter on company letterhead. This cover letter must include a description of the information being submitted, contact name and telephone number, email address, and be signed and dated by the taxpayer or taxpayer’s authorized agent. All emailed statements must be in a PDF format and emailed to the Assessor's Office.

7. What do I include in supplies?

Examples of reportable supplies are:

• Chemical
• Fuel
• Fuel, insecticides and fertilizer used by agricultural taxpayers
• Janitorial
• Manufacturing
• Medical supplies held by a doctor’s office to be given to patients, incidental to service, even if the samples were provided at no charge
• Ordinary office

Put in the total amount of the retail value of supplies you had on hand on January 1. If you are not sure, make an estimate of the amount you normally keep on hand.

8. Can someone else file my Business Property Statement for me?

When signing, please remember that it is important to complete all the areas of the Declaration by Assessee in order to validate a signature. The declaration must be signed by either the assessee/owner, a duly appointed fiduciary, or a person authorized to sign on behalf of the assessee such as: a member of the bar, a certified public accountant, a public accountant, an enrolled agent, a partner, corporate officer, LLC manager or managing member, or other person as defined by the State of California Board of Equalization.

• In the case of a corporation: the declaration can be signed by an authorized employee or agent who has been designated to sign on behalf of the corporation, by the Board of Directors, by name or by title, only if a valid Agency Authorization has been filed with the Assessor.
• In the case of a partnership, the declaration can be signed by an authorized employee or agent who has been designated to sign on behalf of the partnership, by name or by title, only if a valid Agency Authorization has been filed with the Assessor.
• In the case of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), the declaration can be signed by an authorized employee or agent who has been designated to sign on behalf of the LLC manager or by the members, by name or by title, only if a valid Agency Authorization (eForm) has been filed with the Assessor.

Agency Authorization

When a declaration is signed by an employee or agent, other than a member of the bar, a certified public accountant, a public accountant, an enrolled agent or a duly appointed fiduciary, the assessee’s written Agency Authorization form (eForm) to authorize the employee or agent to sign the declaration on behalf of the Assessee must be filed with the Assessor. The Assessor may at any time require a person who signs a property statement and who is required to have written authorization to provide proof of authorization.

Business Property Statement

A Business Property Statement (PDF) that is not signed and executed in accordance with the foregoing instructions is not considered a valid filing. The penalty imposed by section 463 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code for failure to file is applicable to non-valid or unsigned Business Property Statements.