Tuesday, April 20, 2010

TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS-SERVICE THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

Each of Florida's counties has a Property Appraiser who establishes the value of your real estate, personal property and business equipment. The Internal Revenue Service says tangible personal property (TPP) includes but is not limited to paintings, watercolors, prints, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, furniture, decorative arts, antiques, textiles, carpets, silver, rare manuscripts, historical memorabilia, antiquities, ethnographic art, collectibles, gems and jewelry. Machinery and equipment and other items classified as personal property are all intended for inclusion.

It is possible that you may be in need of valuation assistance when your county's property appraiser has overestimated the worth of your TPP. Factors such as depreciation and market conditions can cause the value of many items to fluctuate. It is up to you to present a case whereby you can dispute their findings.

From antiques to electronics to farm equipment, taxable items are a great source of revenue for governments. An increasing number of requests for appraisals have come from businesses who report that they are being targeted for the first time. Only by researching and documenting specific information can an appraiser defend your opinions regarding values. The objective is to resolve the issue as early in the examination as possible. Credible and compelling work by the valuator will facilitate resolution of issues without litigation. An added bonus is that once you have won your case before the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) you'll enjoy those tax benefits in subsequent years as well.

The St. Lucie Appraisal Company can appraise your tangible personal property and business equipment. When a licensed appraiser presents his valuation report, it becomes the Property Appraiser's responsibility to refute it with their own appraisal. In my experience, this measure is rarely taken in the face of competent evidence as to the value of your TPP.