Tangible Personal Property

Tangible Personal Property

Tangible personal property is a tax term describing personal property that can be physically relocated, such as furniture and office equipment. The property appraiser places a value on the property, and the tax amount due is calculated by multiplying the property value by the tax rate set by the tax authorities in the state. Tangible personal property is anything other than real property (land and building) that is used in the operations of a business or rental property. Tangible personal property is the opposite of real property, in a sense, as real property is immovable. Tangible personal property is a tax term describing personal property that can be physically relocated, such as furniture and office equipment.

Tangible personal property includes a wide variety of equipment, from small office fixtures to light trucks and buses.

What is Tangible Personal Property?

Tangible personal property is a tax term describing personal property that can be physically relocated, such as furniture and office equipment. Tangible personal property is always depreciated over either a five- or seven-year period using straight-line depreciation but is eligible for accelerated depreciation as well.

Tangible personal property is anything other than real property (land and building) that is used in the operations of a business or rental property.

Tangible personal property includes a wide variety of equipment, from small office fixtures to light trucks and buses.
Tangible property also includes all miscellaneous assets that do not inherently qualify for any other class life, such as jewelry, toys, and sports equipment.
Tangible personal property represents anything that may be used like a desk, bed, lamps, or other furnishing for a rented home or business.

Understanding Tangible Personal Property

Tangible personal property is the opposite of real property, in a sense, as real property is immovable. In comparison to intangible personal property, tangible property can be touched. Consider property such as furniture, machinery, cell phones, computers, and collectibles which can be felt compared to intangibles such as patents, copyrights, and non-compete agreements that cannot be seen or touched.

Tangible personal property is subject to ad valorem taxes. In most states, a business that owned tangible property on January 1 must file a tax return form with the property appraisal office no later than April 1 in the same year. The property appraiser places a value on the property, and the tax amount due is calculated by multiplying the property value by the tax rate set by the tax authorities in the state.

Property owners who lease or rent tangible personal property must also file this return for tax purposes.

Some counties and cities require the filer to list all property on the tax form and to provide the fair market value and cost for each tangible property. In these cases, the county will also provide a valuation table that can be used to estimate the value of the property based on its age and useful life. Some states only apply a tax on tangible property in the year the property was purchased.

Example of Taxes and Tangible Personal Property

Any new business-owning tangible property on January 1 must file an initial tax return on the property. After the initial year of filing, if the assessed value of the personal property exceeds $25,000 in any given year, the business is required to file a tax return. A letter from the property appraisal office will usually be sent by mail to the company notifying it to file taxes on its property. If the company or landlord believes the letter is not applicable, the letter may be returned to the office with another letter explaining why taxes on tangible personal property does not apply to the business.

Tangible personal property tax is paid by a landlord or company to its local government, but landlords or company owners can claim a deduction on federal income tax returns. To claim the deduction, the tax must only apply to personal property owned and bought for the business’ operation, be based on its fair market value, and be charged on an annual basis (as opposed to a one-time basis).

Related terms:

Chattel

Chattel is tangible personal property that is movable between locations, as opposed to immovable property such as real estate. read more

Calculated Intangible Value (CIV)

Calculated intangible value is a method of valuing a company's intangible assets. Intangible assets include patents and other intellectual property. read more

Fair Market Value (FMV)

Fair market value is the price of an asset when both buyer and seller have reasonable knowledge of the asset and are willing and not pressured to trade. read more

Intangible Personal Property

Intangible personal property is an item of individual value that cannot be touched or held. read more

Operating Expense

An operating expense is an expenditure that a business incurs as a result of performing its normal business operations.  read more

Personal Property

Personal property is a class of property that can include any type of asset other than real estate. read more

What Is Property?

Property is anything tangible or intangible over which a person or business has a legal title. Discover more about the term here. read more

Self-Employment

A self-employed individual does not work for a specific employer who pays them a consistent salary or wage. read more

Straight Line Basis

Straight line basis is the simplest method of calculating depreciation and amortization, the process of expensing an asset over a specific period. read more