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Business, Personal and Special Property Assessments
The Business and Special Property Division is responsible for the discovery and assessment of all taxable business property, boats, aircraft, and other special properties within the County of Santa Barbara.
Unlike real property, business property is appraised annually. All business owners must file a property statement each year detailing costs of all supplies, equipment and fixtures at each location. Business inventory is exempt from taxation.
The California Constitution and the Revenue and Taxation Code state that all property is taxable, including business property, unless it is specifically exempt by law. Examples of taxable business property are:
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Building / Fixture / Land Improvements |
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Office Furniture and Equipment |
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Machinery and Equipment |
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Supplies |
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Tools |
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Computer Hardware and Operating Systems |
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Leasehold Improvements |
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Property Leased to Others |
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Construction in Progress |
If you own taxable personal property whose required cost is $100,000 or more on January 1, or if the Assessor has requested a statement be filed, you are requested to file a Business Property Statement (BPS) by April 1st of each year detailing costs of all supplies, equipment, and fixtures, improvements, land improvements, and land as well as other information requested on the form at each location. If your completed property statement is received after 5:00 p.m. on May 7th, you will be subject to a late filing penalty.
Electronic Filing
In order to make it easier for you to file your Business Property Statement [Form 571-L],
Santa Barbara County has enhanced its online E-Filing System. You will no longer receive a paper copy of the official form.
Instead, you must access our E-filing system using the unique password provided in the letter you received from the County Assessor.
Once you enter the system, you will have the option of electronically filing the Form 571-L online or printing the official form for mailing or electronic upload.
April 1, 2019 – Business Property Statements Are Due.
May 7, 2019 – Last Day to Submit Property Statements Before 10% Penalty is Applied.
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| Questions About Being a Business Owner |
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Can I file my business property statement online?
Yes, you will be notified by our office if you are eligible to file online. If you wish to participate you may contact our Business Division at this email BPS Electronic Filing Request. |
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Can large businesses file property statements online?
There is a separate electronic filing program for large businesses that have multiple locations throughout the state. Participation in this program requires programming on behalf of the business entity such that business property data itself is uploaded to a state-wide server. Filing deadlines apply. Feel free to contact us if you need more information. |
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How do I know if my business is located in the County of Santa Barbara?
| List of County of Santa Barbara |
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| The following list identifies the cities and towns located within the borders of Santa Barbara County. If you are unsure or need assistance please do not hesitate to contact us at (805) 568-2550. |
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Buellton |
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Carpentaria |
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Cuyama |
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Goleta |
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Guadalupe |
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Isla Vista |
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Lompoc |
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Los Alamos |
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Los Olivos |
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Santa Barbara |
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Santa Maria |
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Santa Ynez |
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Solvang |
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Summerland |
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Unincorporated Area of the County |
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What is a Business Property Statement - Form 571-L (BPS)?
A Business Property Statement is a form, or a series of reporting forms upon which both real and personal property must be declared as such assets exist on the Lien date (January 1st). The assets must be reported at acquisition cost, if known.
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What if the pre-printed information on the BPS is incorrect?
If your business has moved or changed its mailing address, then draw a single line through the incorrect information (Please DO NOT make the pre-printed information unreadable). Then legibly print or type the new information on the form and also indicate the effective date of the move or when the change became effective. When reporting on a sale, include the new owner's name and mailing address. When reporting that the business has been closed, provide the date(s) and information relating to the deposition of any taxable personal property. Complete the BPS, sign and return it to the Assessor's Office.
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What is considered "business equipment"?
| Basically, any equipment that you use in your business should be reported. Examples: |
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Computers, printers, servers
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Office furniture |
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Telephones |
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Copiers, fax |
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Restaurant Equipment |
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Forklifts |
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Video Equipment |
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Cameras |
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What is the Lien Date?
The Lien date is January 1st every year, and is also the date property taxes for any fiscal year become a lien against a business property owner. |
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What is the purpose of the Business Property Statement (BPS)?
The BPS collects information regarding the supplies, business equipment and leasehold improvements for each business location within the county. The information an owner provides on the statement is then used to assess and tax property in accordance with California State Law. The owner reports the acquisition costs of the supplies, business equipment and leasehold improvements that were owned on lien date at the address shown (location of the property). All 58 California county assessors mail out similar statements. |
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What is the tax rate on personal property?
Throughout California, the property tax rate is 1% of the assessed value (also, applies to real property). However, your tax bill might also include special assessments voted into effect by the voters or by their representatives within the property's taxing jurisdiction. Therefore, you can estimate that the taxes will be approximately 1.2% of the assessed value. For example, if your personal property assessment is $10,000, your personal property tax bill should be roughly $120.00.
Note: Under the California law, there is no provision for the pro-ration of unsecured personal property taxes. |
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When is the Business Property Statement (BPS) due?
The BPS is due on April 1st and is considered delinquent if it is filed after 5:00 P.M. on May 7th. |
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Who must file a Business Property Statement (BPS)?
If the Assessor sends you a BPS, the law requires that you complete, sign, and return the statement to the Assessor's Office in the time period specified. Any business that owns Personal Property and/or Leasehold Improvements having a total combined cost of $100,000 or more is required to file a BPS even if the Assessor did not send you a formal request to do so. Also, any other business that is requested by the County Assessor to file, must file, regardless of the value of their assets. |
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Why did I receive a Business Property Statement?
The Assessor might have learned about your business through the city where your business is licensed, from a fictitious business name report, or from a field check. Every person who owns taxable personal property other than a mobile home, that has an aggregate cost of $100,000 or more, must report the itemized nature, location, and cost of acquisition of such property to the county assessor. |
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Why do I have to pay taxes on my Business Property?
The California Constitution states in part that "Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or the laws of the US, (a) All property is taxable". That is, unless otherwise exempted, all forms of tangible property are taxable in California and the Assessor must assess business personal property because the law requires them to do so.
Some forms of personal property are exempt from taxation under the Constitution. For example, household furnishings, personal effects, and business inventory are exempt under the law. |
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The State of California as well as all the California counties operate on a fiscal year, and that fiscal year is July 1st through June 30th. The responsibility for the tax bill rests with the owner in possession of the business as of January 1st. |
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